Olivier Véran stated during a Senate debate that should the Covid-19 epidemic be in an “uncontrolled situation” in a certain country of the EU, Schengen area or the UK, then it cannot be ruled out that quarantine rules would be applied to it.

He said this was “good scientific sense”, but he hoped that it would not be necessary as most European countries had the situation more or less under control thanks to lockdowns.

The comments came during debate on a law aimed at extending the state of health emergency until July.

The law also includes rules requiring isolation for people arriving from foreign countries classed as “circulation zones”  for the virus, or who have been in such areas in the previous month.

The Elysée had previously said the rules would not apply to people coming from the EU, Schengen area or UK.

The UK has also been reported in the British press to be considering requiring all arrivals into the country to self-isolate.

Asked by the BBC’s Andrew Marr on Sunday if it was possible that travellers coming in would have to go into quarantine, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said he was “actively looking at these issues”.