France may follow the lead of Germany and tighten restrictions on British travellers, amid fears about the spread of Indian variant, say reports.
Germany has designated the UK a “virus variant region”, which means people travelling to the country from Great Britain and Northern Ireland may only enter the country if they are a German citizen or resident.
The rule came into force on Sunday (May 23).
Germany is on the UK’s amber travel list, meaning anyone arriving back in Britain will need to quarantine for 10 days at home.
The Telegraph reported that France may follow suit, because of concerns about the Indian variant.
French foreign affairs minister Jean-Yves Le Drian suggested Britain could be put in a health category of its own, “somewhere in between the strictest measures that France is imposing on visitors from India and 15 other countries, and more relaxed requirements being readied for visitors from the European Union and some other countries”, reported the newspaper.
France is also on the UK’s amber list.
Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel, said: “The suggestion that UK travellers may face stricter rules when travelling to France is yet another example of the perilously unpredictable nature of international travel this year.
“The country’s status on the UK’s amber list will already have caused confusion for people about what travel was safe and permitted, and this only adds a new layer of uncertainty.
“It demonstrates just how important it is for anyone thinking about booking a trip in the next few months to do so with a travel company that has the most flexible booking policies available, so they are protected against any disruption.
“We would advise anyone with a trip to France booked not to cancel, as you may lose your right to a refund, but wait for further information.”
Labour’s shadow Home Secretary has said all amber list countries should move to the red list, forcing travellers to quarantine in hotels upon return.
Speaking on the Andrew Marr Show, Nick Thomas-Symonds said rules for travel to and from amber list countries should be tightened.