“Closed”: difficult to land in the UK this summer

(closed): the signal could be displayed in large black characters at the entrance to the Eurostar station in Paris-Nord, airports and French ports. Quite simply, the UK is de facto closed to travelers from France who would like to spend the summer in Shakespeare’s country. It is a real obstacle course that will have to go through the sweet crazy people who would be tempted by a visit across the Channel, whether on British territory or in the Republic of Ireland.

In the United Kingdom, health is regionalized. But the restrictions in force in England are more or less similar to those enacted in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

France is placed on the “orange” list under a traffic light system introduced in early May. Among the ten countries on the “green” list which exempts tourists from compulsory quarantine are Portugal and Israel.

Upon arrival, travelers from France must present a negative PCR test within 72 hours. A ten-day quarantine at home or at the hotel is then required, with compulsory tests after the second and eighth day. A negative paid PCR test (minimum the equivalent of 160 euros) can shorten the period by half.

In addition, a “locator” providing all the information to the immigration services which allows the police to control compliance with the quarantine must be completed before departure, via the mobile phone. The quarantine is monitored through frequent phone calls and unannounced home visits by the competent authorities. Those who are absent subscribers are fined.

25 days of quarantine in total!

As a misfortune never happens alone, France imposed from May 31 a “compulsory isolation” for passengers from the United Kingdom due to the spread of the Indian variant in England. Two incompressible weeks of quarantine are now mandatory.

Notice to amateurs! A summer vacation in England currently involves a total quarantine of twenty-five days, not to mention the cost of testing.

Although part of the European Union, the Republic of Ireland is even stricter. Indeed, France is on the list of 50 so-called category 2 countries. Travelers from these regions are subject to a 14-day quarantine in an accredited hotel, at their expense (around 200 euros per day).

Due to overseas travel restrictions, most of the Queen’s subjects will be spending the summer in the UK. As a result, hotels, bed and breakfasts, campsites and Airbnb residences in the most picturesque regions (Cornwall, Devon, Lake District, etc.) or in historic towns (Oxford, Cambridge, Stratford-upon-Avon or York) are already full. .


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