France quarantine continues
HOLIDAYMAKERS returning from France have been told they must continue to quarantine – even if they have been fully-vaccinated – when restrictions ease on other amber list destinations.
Ministers said the move, announced late on Friday evening, was a precautionary measure amid concerns over the “persistent presence” in the country of the Beta coronavirus variant. It is thought to reflect concerns that the mutation, first identified in South Africa, may be more resistant to the vaccines.
But France has said it will allow international travellers who have had AstraZeneca’s Indian-manufactured coronavirus vaccine into the country.
At the same time, France is tightening border checks to control the spread of the Delta variant and protect hospitals, according to a statement from the prime minister.
The move to accept visitors vaccinated with AstraZeneca’s vaccine made by India’s Serum Institute, starting today, came after a global outcry over the fact that the European Union’s Covid-19 certificate only recognises AstraZeneca vaccines manufactured in Europe.
Several other EU countries already accept the Indian version, which is notably used in the UK and around Africa.
The varied rules in each country have complicated this summer’s travel season. France still does not recognise vaccinations by Chinese or Russian makers, only those authorised by the EU drug regulator, made by Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca.
Starting today, France will also start requiring anyone who is not vaccinated arriving from Britain, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Greece or Cyprus to present a negative test less than 24 hours old to cross French borders.
Tunisia, Indonesia, Cuba and Mozambique have been added to France’s “red list” of countries with high virus risk, according to Saturday’s statement. However, France will accept travellers from any red list countries if they are fully vaccinated.