Travel between UK & France: Britons can only enter France for these reasons – FCO advice

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has updated its travel advice following some relaxation of lockdown rules in France. The travel advice page provides information for Britons currently in France or those who are considering travelling to the country.

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France announced it would be loosening some of its stringent lockdown rules after eight weeks of confining its citizens to their homes.

Much like the UK, France also has implemented a new slogan.

Residents are being told “restez prudents” which roughly translates as “Stay Alert” or careful.

Following the news, the FCO updated its travel advice page.

The FCO travel advice for France currently reminds Britons: “On 20 March 2020, the French Government announced reinforced border controls with the UK.”

Though Britons are not permitted to enter and stay in France as tourists, there are two reasons in which they will be allowed to pass the border.

The website continues: “You can still cross the border to return to the UK via France.

“If you live in France, the French Government has confirmed that you can continue to enter France to return to your principal residence.

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“Border checks are also in place on the borders with Italy, Spain and Germany.”

It adds: “If you are currently resident in France, travel within your department of residence or up to 100km from your place of residence is permitted without restrictions. Travel beyond 100km from your place of residence is only permitted for urgent professional or family reasons and you will need to complete a travel declaration to certify your reason for travel). This certificate can be downloaded onto smartphones or handwritten if you are unable to access a printer.”

Under the new guidance, some shops are reopening in France, many pupils are returning to schools, and people may no longer need travel certificates to leave their homes.

However, the country is operating under a colour-coded system, with some areas classed as “red” or “green” zones.

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Regulations are adjusted in each area accordingly.

Despite the slightly more relaxed lockdown, tourism officials still believe that holidaymakers might not return before 2021.

President of the Departmental Tourism Committee, Sylvie Chevallier, has said she foresees difficult days ahead.

In the Forbes interview, she warned: “There are going to be difficult situations for tourism professionals.

“We know that foreigners will not return in 2020.”

Though the UK government has set out plans to implement a mandatory 14-day quarantine for travellers entering the UK, it says this rule will not apply to those coming from France.

The agreement between the Prime Minister and President Emmanuel Macron declares: “No quarantine measures would apply to travellers coming from France at this stage; any measures on either side would be taken in a concerted and reciprocal manner.”

In addition to this, those travelling from the Republic of Ireland will not be made to go into quarantine either.

No date has been set for when the quarantine will go into effect, however, it is currently expected to be at the end of this month.

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