- Title: UK travellers confused, disappointed over new France quarantine rules
- Date: 17th July 2021
- Summary: PARIS, FRANCE (JULY 16, 2021) (REUTERS) EIFFEL TOWER PEOPLE LOOKING OUT FROM EIFFEL TOWER VIEW OF GARDEN FROM EIFFEL TOWER LIFT CAR GOING UP LIFT CAR MOVING BOAT ON SEINE RIVER
- Embargoed: 31st July 2021 15:29
- Keywords: COVID-19 Delta variant Eurostar Paris St. Pancras amber coronavirus quarantine red vaccination
- Location: LONDON, ENGLAND, UK / PARIS, FRANCE
- City: LONDON, ENGLAND, UK / PARIS, FRANCE
- Country: United Kingdom
- Topics: Europe,Health/Medicine
- Reuters ID: LVA002EM88WUF
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Travellers heading to France on Saturday (July 17) expressed frustration at Britain's new coronavirus rules, knowing that they would now have to quarantine on their return.
Britain said on Friday (July 16) that it was scrapping a planned easing of coronavirus rules for travellers from France, which had been due to take effect on Monday (July 19), because of the continued presence of the Beta variant of COVID-19 first identified in South Africa.
"It's very confusing. I'm trying my hardest to understand the rules, but I don't understand the rules, so I don't know. At this point, I'm going on my holiday and whatever happens happens," said one traveller outside London's St. Pancras station where travellers board the Eurostar train to Paris.
"For the last year, you don't know whether you're coming or going. It's kind of quite horrible to be travelling at the moment, but needs must for me," said another traveller, echoing the many who plan to go ahead with their travel plans despite the changes.
Anyone arriving from France will have to quarantine at home or in other accommodation for five to 10 days, even if they are fully vaccinated against COVID, Britain's health ministry said.
The quarantine requirement will end as planned on Monday for fully vaccinated travellers from other countries in Britain's 'amber' category of coronavirus risk, which includes most of Europe. Just over two thirds of British adults are fully vaccinated.
Monday sees the end of the majority of coronavirus rules in England, including most legal obligations to wear masks. But foreign travel will remain subject to quarantine and testing requirements.
Before the coronavirus pandemic, France was Britain's second-most popular travel destination after Spain, and the news comes just a week before school holidays start in England, when millions would typically seek to cross the Channel.
Britain is currently reporting around 10 times as many COVID cases as France, due to the rapid spread of the Delta variant of COVID first identified in India, but has few cases of the Beta variant found in France.
(Production: Natasa Bansagi, Michael Fiorentino, Hazem Sika) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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