People arriving from Malta, Monaco or the Netherlands are also affected.
From Saturday August 15, at 5 a.m. (French time), anyone arriving in the United Kingdom, from France, will have to remain in quarantine for 14 days. The British decision follows the resurgence of cases recorded in France. “The statistics show that we have to withdraw France, the Netherlands, Monaco, Malta […] from our list of travel corridors to keep infection rates down”, British Transport Minister Grant Shapps said on Twitter. The Turks and Caicos Islands and Aruba, located in the Caribbean, are also concerned.
Data shows we need to remove France, the Netherlands, Monaco, Malta, Turks & Caicos & Aruba from our list of #coronavirus Travel Corridors to keep infection rates DOWN. If you arrive in the UK after 0400 Saturday from these destinations, you will need to self-isolate for 14 days.
— Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP (@grantshapps) August 13, 2020
French people who have planned stays in the United Kingdom will probably decide to postpone their holidays, but Britons could also anticipate their return from France. They would be around 500,000 currently spending their holidays in France.
France announces the reciprocity of the measure
In France, the Secretary of State for European Affairs, Clément Beaune, claimed on Twitter that the British measure will lead to reciprocity in France, which means that people from the United Kingdom will also have to remain in quarantine for 14 days. if they come to France. “France regrets the decision of the United Kingdom”commented on the same social network, Jean-Baptiste Djebbari, the Minister Delegate for Transport.
A British decision that we regret and which will lead to a measure of reciprocity, hoping for a return to normal as soon as possible @Djebbari_JB https://t.co/6pA0qDQun6
— Clement Beaune (@CBeaune) August 13, 2020
The French situation worries
The British government is relying on data indicating a 66% increase in reported cases in France, over the week of August 7 to 13. According to the August 13 report of Public health France2,669 new cases were identified in 24 hours.
Furthermore, on Friday 14 August, a decree has placed Paris and the Bouches-du-Rhône in the red zone, i.e. areas of active circulation of the virus. Guyana and Mayotte also remain in this vigilance category. In these sectors, the prefects can take specific measures to fight against the epidemic, such as the closure of certain establishments or limiting the movement of people and vehicles.
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