Spiteful Macron bans UK tourists
...even though Omicron is sweeping through France
EMMANUEL Macron was condemned on both sides of the Channel yesterday for banning British travellers from entering France over fears about the Omicron variant.
The French president singled out the UK for the ban on non-essential travel. It applies even to those who have been fully vaccinated and will begin today at 11pm UK time.
Until now double-jabbed Britons have been able to enter with a negative test.
Paris claimed the move was designed to slow the arrival of the super-mutant strain. But it will ruin the skiing season for thousands of British holidaymakers and throw into chaos the plans of those hoping to visit relatives for Christmas.
The action puts France at odds with all other European countries, none of which has advocated such a drastic move, rais
‘Not effective or proportionate’
ing suspicions the ban was out of spite. It comes amid tensions between the UK and France over post-Brexit fishing rights and how to deal with Channel migrant crossings.
France, which already has high rates of Omicron, remains open to the rest of Europe. Downing Street said the ban was not ‘effective or proportionate’. And British and French travel chiefs united to condemn the ‘knee jerk’ move, which they said would deal another ‘hammer blow’ to the already beleaguered tourism sectors in both countries.
Experts pointed out that Omicron has already taken hold in France and is therefore probably spreading rapidly.
England scrapped its own red list this week after scientists concluded it would have little effect in stemming the spread of the already prevalent variant.
Travel firms rushed to cancel trips yesterday, including TUI, which runs the UK’s largest ski tour operator, Crystal Ski Holidays. The operator typically caters for 170,000 Britons each season.
It said it was cancelling holidays scheduled for departure between 21 December and 4 January. A spokesman said: ‘We understand the huge disappointment this will cause... we’ve emailed all customers with a re-booking incentive.’
The new measures angered those in the popular French skiing resort of Val d’Isere, where Britons represent half of the turnover for the ski season. Christophe Lavaut, general manager of the resort, said: ‘It’s the final nail in the coffin. To announce this two days before the holidays is shocking...
‘The loss of income will be phenomenal. The whole economy of the resort is in danger.’
A spokesman for Eurostar, which is majority-owned by the French government, said: ‘Once the variant is established and being spread within communities, it is difficult to see what further purpose such restrictions serve.’
And a spokesman for Channel ferry operator Brittany Ferries said: ‘Further border controls seem as unnecessary as they are unwelcome.’ Julia Simpson, CEO of the World Travel and Tourism Council, added: ‘This is an ineffective, kneejerk reaction.’
More than 500 flights were scheduled between the UK and France from December 18 to 24, equating to more than 93,000 seats, according to data analyst firm Cirium.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps confirmed hauliers would be exempt from the ban, to keep cross-Channel supply chains flowing. The rules state that only Britons with a ‘compelling reason’, regardless of vaccination status, will be permitted to enter France.
It means holidays, business trips and most family reunions are off.
There are exemptions for returning French residents, their spouse and children, and students enrolled in France. The only compassionate exemptions are for the death or terminal illness of a close relative.
People travelling through within 24 hours will also be allowed entry. Anyone who qualifies for entry must show a negative Covid test taken within 24 hours.