U.K. Expands Two-Week Quarantine Restrictions To France As New Coronavirus Cases Spike

TOPLINE

Thousands of British holidaymakers across parts of Europe and the Caribbean have had their summer vacations upended after the U.K. government expanded its quarantine rule to places including France, the Netherlands and Turks and Caicos, meaning anyone who returns to the U.K. from those locations will have to self-isolate for 14 days.

KEY FACTS

New restrictions come into effect from Saturday morning and, as well as the places above, also affects people entering the U.K. from Aruba, Monaco and Malta.

The rule is an expansion of a similar quarantine in place for returnees from Spain—the most popular holiday destination for British tourists.

The U.K.’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office is also advising against all but essential international travel.

The latest move comes after French Prime Minister, Jean Castex, warned that coronavirus infections in the country are going the wrong way, with new daily cases—around 2,660 on Thursday—now more than double what they were three weeks ago.

The U.K. government said its decision was informed by rising cases in the affected areas, with new infections in the Netherlands per 100,000 people rising 52% over the past week, 105% in Malta, 273% in Turks and Caicos, and 1,106% in Aruba, a Dutch territory in the Caribbean.

But reciprocal measures could be on the way, with France’s secretary of state for European affairs, Clement Beaune, said the nation regrets the U.K.’s move.

Crucial comment

The U.K. transport minister, Grant Shapps, tweeted late on Thursday: “Data shows we need to remove France, the Netherlands, Monaco, Malta, Turks & Caicos & Aruba from our list of #coronavirus Travel Corridors to keep infection rates DOWN. If you arrive in the UK after 0400 Saturday from these destinations, you will need to self-isolate for 14 days.”

Big number

160,000 British tourists are thought to be in France currently, Shapps told the BBC.

Key background

This now means that the most popular destinations for U.K. holidaymakers—Spain and France—are possibly no longer an option for many holidaymakers anticipating a physical return to schools once the six-week summer break is up from next week. However, Prime Minister Boris Jonson’s government has faced criticism from opposition lawmakers and travel industry bosses over its handling of sudden travel restrictions in place of an effective track and trace system, with concerns that quarantine measures will further hammer an already battered industry.

What to watch for

Travel company stocks dropped on Tuesday, with budget airline EasyJet down almost 7% on Friday morning, while travel operator TUI fell 5.6%. Rail company Eurotunnel, which connects France and the U.K. via the Channel Tunnel, was down more than 4%.

Tangent

More lockdown restrictions will be eased in England from Saturday, meaning recreational activities like bowling and casinos can reopen, while more beauty services, live indoor performances and small wedding receptions can also take place.

Further reading

‘We’re At A Tipping Point’: European Countries Impose Fresh Rules Amid Covid-19 Resurgence (Forbes)

Full coverage and live updates on the Coronavirus


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