France's travel ban on UK to remain ‘until further notice’

The ban on people travelling from the UK to France, with exceptions such as for residents and French nationals, will remain in place until the situation there improves, French Prime Minister Jean Castex announced tonight (January 7).

The ban was introduced on December 20 after a new, more contagious, variant of Covid-19 was reported as quickly spreading in the UK.

Anyone coming from the UK to France - see a full list of exceptions to the travel ban below - will have to present a negative Covid-19 test to travel authorities taken 72 hours before departure.

Health Minister Olivier Véran said that 19 cases of the British variant of Covid-19 have been identified in France and he expects this number to increase in the coming days.

He said that there will be an increased level of monitoring of the British strain, particularly in schools.

He said three cases of the South African variant of the virus have been reported in France.

Full list of people allowed to enter France for essential reasons:

• Non-EU/EEA nationals, holders of a valid French or European residence permit or long-stay visa, whose main residence is in France or who are in transit through France to their main residence in a European Union country or equivalent.
• Non-EU/EEA nationals in transit in the international zone for less than 24 hours
• Members of a delegation on an official mission or the staff of a diplomatic or consular mission, or an international organisation having its headquarters or an office in France, as well as their spouse or children
• Foreign health professionals contributing to the fight against Covid-19
• Foreign crew or personnel operating passenger and cargo flights, or travelling as a passenger to position themselves at their base of departure
• Foreign national providing international transport of goods
• Crew member or person operating a commercial or fishing vessel
• Students holding a VLS or VCS for studies or internships (excluding the VCS Competition), or coming for less than 90 days from a country exempt from the VCS, or minors in school, who can prove that they have a place to stay in France.
• Professor or researcher employed or invited by a French educational institution or research laboratory who travels for study and teaching purposes
• Non-EU/EEA nationals with a VLS "talent passport"
• Persons benefiting from a laissez-passer issued by the Direction générale des étrangers en France du ministère de l’intérieur, to facilitate the exercise of an economic activity, to reunite with partners or for medical reasons.