HOLIDAYS to France were plunged into chaos tonight as ministers decided to exclude our nearest neighbour from relaxed travel rules.
The PM will lift hardline restrictions for millions of double-jabbed holiday-makers from Monday as part of eagerly-awaited ‘Freedom Day’.
But the rules won’t apply to France because of fears over the rapidly-spreading South Africa variant, now known as Beta.
Brits who have had two doses at least two weeks ago will no longer be able to skip quarantine to the holiday hotspot thanks to the clampdown.
Travellers will still need to stay inside for 10 days over fears over the rapid spread of the Beta variant across the Channel, which scientists fear may be more resistant to vaccines.
France will stay on the amber list for now, meaning returning travellers will be able to isolate at home rather than in pricey quarantine hotels.
Millions of sun-seekers face weeks of uncertainty over their holidays, and long periods of isolation if they decide to jet over there.
‘PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE’
A Government source said last night: “There are concerns about the levels of the Beta variant in France, and the vaccine effectiveness.
“This is a precautionary measure while we get more data.”
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It’s understood that travellers will still have to take PCR tests on day two and eight, and can take a day five test to be freed, if it comes back negative.
The news will dash plans for thousands of family holidays to France, just days before schools break up for the summer, with no end-date in sight for the rules to be lifted.
Ministers will keep an eye on the situation and gather more data before making any further changes to the travel lists.Rates of the Beta variant are currently highest in France’s capital city of Paris and the greater Île-de-France region.
French authorities force anyone who isn’t double jabbed to quarantine for seven days once they arrive – and are only permitted to travel into the country in exceptional circumstances.
But Brits with both doses are free from quarantine as long as they show their proof of vaccination and a negative Covid test before they fly.
RED ZONE LIST
It came as Bulgaria last night banned UK travellers from entering the country from next week, thanks to the UK’s spiralling cases.
The south-east European nation has put the UK on its high risk “red zone list” along with a string of other countries.
A whopping 50,000 new Covid cases were recorded yesterday, just days before ministers prepare to lift all remaining legal restrictions next week.
The rules will apply to anyone who has been in France in the last ten days – and that includes passing through there en route back to the UK.
Existing amber list exemptions for key workers including hauliers will remain in place.
Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said tonight: “We have always been clear that we will not hesitate to take rapid action at our borders to stop the spread of COVID-19 and protect the gains made by our successful vaccination programme.
“With restrictions lifting on Monday across the country, we will do everything we can to ensure international travel is conducted as safely as possible, and protect our borders from the threat of variants.
“Transport Secretary Grant Shapps insisted that that ministers’ “absolute priority” was to protect public health in the UK – and urged everyone travelling to look at the travel rules before they go.
UK Health Security Agency Chief Executive Dr Jenny Harries said: “While vaccines are helping us turn the tables against this virus, we need to continue to proceed cautiously.
“That means maintaining our defences against new variants and protecting our hard won progress through the exceptional vaccination rollout.”
