France could be placed on the ‘red list’ of countries requiring quarantine for arrivals to the UK, it has been reported.
It comes after soaring rates of the South African variant of Covid-19 in the country.
Scientists believe there could be up to 2,000 new cases of the new variant spreading in France, according to the Times.
If accurate, that would make the strain much more prevalent in France than in other countries already on the ‘red list’.
The Times report ministers and officials have discussed the prospect of putting France on the list.
All Brits arriving from 35 ‘red list’ countries will have to quarantine for at least 10 days in a designated hotel, costing them up to £1,750.
And all arrivals, no matter where they’re from, will need to isolate at home, get a negative result up to 72 hours before they arrive, and get fresh Covid tests on Day 2 and Day 8 of isolation.
But ‘red list’ rules don’t apply to hauliers carrying essential food supplies - so truck drivers from France would not have to quarantine in hotels on arrival if the country was added.
On Friday Mauritius and Portugal were removed from the list.
But Ethiopia, Oman, Qatar and Somalia were added.
Ministers are considering a “traffic light” system for foreign travel making it easier for Brits to holiday in lower risk “green” areas.
Popular holiday destinations with lower Covid rates and higher vaccination roll-out could be reopened to British tourists sooner this summer.
Under the tiered system, passengers could be exempt from pre-departure tests and quarantine on their return.
But those flying to higher risk “red” countries could face tough restrictions including a 10-day self-isolation period and extra Covid tests after their break.
Government sources confirmed officials were considering the traffic light scheme, which would be subject to change as infection rates rise or fall.
However, they warned it was “quite early days” and suggested the priority would be to reopen the UK economy.
The proposed blueprint comes amid fears millions of us will be forced to stay at home as a third wave of the virus rages across Europe.
The red list in full
- Angola
- Argentina
- Bolivia
- Botswana
- Brazil
- Burundi
- Cape Verde
- Chile
- Colombia
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Ecuador
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- French Guiana
- Guyana
- Lesotho
- Malawi
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Oman
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Qatar
- Rwanda
- Seychelles
- Somalia
- South Africa
- Suriname
- Tanzania
- United Arab Emirates (UAE)
- Uruguay
- Venezuela
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
