Do you think France will open its borders by July?
Q Could I ask your thoughts on the likelihood of France being open to tourists by 10 July 2021? We have the same villa booked as last year in Provence and would drive down to avoid air travel. Basically we would love to go this year, but they can move it to 2022.
Name supplied
A Coincidentally, 10 July was the day that France – and dozens of other European countries – opened up for visitors in 2020, and I was delighted to fly to Nice for some Cote d’Azur sunshine, cuisine and indulgence. The date marked the removal, after 33 days, of the UK’s curious blanket ban on all arrivals from overseas, in the shape of mandatory quarantine.
Many months on, how different things are. The Brexit transition phase has ended, which leaves travellers from the UK out in the cold.
All arrivals in France from countries outside the EU have been banned since the end of January – “except for compelling reasons,” which I am afraid does not include your holiday.
Anyone who does qualify for travel to France must undergo a Covid test less than 72 hours before departure, and sign a sworn statement certifying they have no symptoms of Covid-19 infection nor contact with anyone confirmed as having Covid-19 in the 14 days prior to their journey.
But 19 weeks remain before your trip, and in that time I expect a great deal to change. Much depends on the trajectory of coronavirus infection rates on both sides of the Channel, with the added dimension of European Union recommendations to member states.
Currently I rate your chances of being able to travel without onerous restrictions outbound or inbound as at least 80 per cent.
One aspect of your trip, though, concerns me. By driving around 700 miles each way to or from the south of France, you will be drastically increasing your risk of being involved in an accident. There are likely to be many daily flights between the UK and Nice in the summer, and in your position I would take a two-hour hop rather than a long-distance drive.
Email your questions to s@hols.tv or tweet @simoncalder