France raises hopes for a summer holiday as it relaxes entry restrictions for Britons
France will no longer require British travellers to have a “compelling reason” to enter the country, officials said, raising hopes for the possibility of summer holidays.
The French foreign ministry today announced a relaxation of some Covid-19 travel restrictions on travel outside the European Union.
Travellers to and from Australia, South Korea, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Britain and Singapore would no longer require a compelling reason to travel, it said.
There are currently 21 official reasons accepted for travel into France, which apply to civil servants, hauliers and French citizens and their families, among others.
However, all travellers to France would still need to present a negative Covid-19 test taken within 72 hours of departure, the government said.
Additionally, France said it would expand the list of compelling reasons for other countries to include estranged families.
According to the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office, arrivals from the UK will need to submit a déclaration sur l’honneur form to confirm they are not suffering with Covid symptoms and haven’t been in contact with any confirmed cases. They will also need to present a signed travel certificate, confirming their reasons for travel.
Travel is currently banned both internationally and within the UK for all but the most essential reasons. All outbound travellers must complete a Declaration of Travel form, stating their reason for the trip, or face a £200 fine.
The government has said that the earliest date for leisure travel to begin is 17 May.
Some countries have signalled that they are willing to accept British travellers, with proof of a Covid vaccination or a negative PCR test, this summer, including Cyprus and Greece.
After Spain, France is the most-visited country by British travellers.
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