France borders closed to most Non EU countries
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New Delhi, Jan 30: Starting from Jan 31, France is to close its borders to non-European Union countries for all, except for essential travel. However, the French Prime Minister Jean Castex has resisted to impose a widely anticipated third lockdown and said that "the next few days will be decisive, in terms of any possible new restrictions." Despite the recent rule tightening, infections remain high in France. Testing requirements from inside the EU are also to be tightened.
The new restrictions are expected to affect the UK, which is no longer a part of the EU. However, UK transport secretary Grant Shapps has already clarified on Twitter that the change would not impact hauliers transporting goods to or from the UK. The French Prime Minister made the announcement about the new measure on Jan 29, at night after an emergency govt health security meeting was concluded at the presidential palace, whereby he warned of the huge risk from the new variants.
Due to increasing surge of the new variant across Europe, the country had already limited cross-border travel and imposed tougher checks in airports and ports since last week. International tourism to France too has been largely affected because of the pandemic. Restaurants and tourist sites are on a shutdown since October, along with many hotels.
In the coming time, France will also close all large shopping centers and limit travel to, and from, its overseas territories. French PM Castex has ordered stepped-up police checks of those who violate France's 12-hour-a-day curfew, hold secret parties or reopen restaurants in defiance of a closure order, that is in place since October.