Tighter restrictions for British tourists visiting France come into force from today.
As of June 1, entry to France is only permitted for EU nationals, French residents, or for those travelling for “compelling” or “essential” reasons. UK residents are no longer able to travel to France for non-essential reasons, regardless of whether they arrive via air, ferry, car or train. Additionally, those who have been vaccinated are also not exempt from these restrictions.
The travel ban comes as fears over the Indian Covid-19 variant increase.
Anyone who must travel to France for “compelling” reasons must take a PCR or antigen test up to 48 hours before their departure. Visitors will also be required to isolate for seven days upon arrival.
However, it’s worth being aware that the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) currently advise against all but essential travel to the whole of France, based on the current assessment of COVID-19 risks. France is also categorised as “amber” on the UK’s traffic light list.
Therefore, British travellers should not be travelling to France unless for exceptional and “essential” reasons anyway. We must remind tourists that a holiday is not deemed as an exceptional, compelling, or essential reason.
Anyone who decides to travel against the FCDO’s guidance without a valid reason must be aware that travelling against FCDO or government advice is a common exclusion in most travel insurance policies. Therefore, in most cases, they will not be covered to submit a claim to their insurer should anything go wrong.
Anyone who must travel for compelling or essential reasons should contact their insurer before their trip to discuss their reasoning for travel and agree cover in writing.
