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Britons say they cannot transit through France due to Omicron

A post-Christmas crackdown by French police on Britons trying to transit through France by car is causing further chaos for travelers affected by Covid restrictions, as the EU tries to trying to prevent spikes in the Omicron variant.

France British tourists are banned entered the country in mid-December in an attempt to slow the spread of Omicron, causing a wave of ski holiday cancellations and travel disruptions for anyone without French citizenship or documents resident.

But Britons trying to reach other parts of the EU – including workers and residents in countries like Belgium, who had hoped to drive back to France via the Euro Tunnel – are also breaking the law. the rules, after new guidance was passed on to the French border police, clarifies that the measures apply to people in transit.

“It’s a strict application of the same rules, with all the difficulties that come with it,” a French police official said, adding that border guards had received received new guidance on how to enforce post-Christmas measures, when travel begins again.

Confusion over the rules in the run-up to the festive season has meant that some visitors have dropped out and are now hoping to return to other parts of the EU via France, the official added. “One of the difficulties is that quite a few people have given up [for the UK] before the rules changed and were having trouble on the way back. ”

Eurotunnel, which operates a shuttle service that allows people to travel by car to and from Folkestone to Calais, warned British travelers on Wednesday that unless they have French residency documents, they cannot transit through France by car too. The restrictions do not apply to EU citizens.

“According to the decision of the French Government, on December 28, 2021, unless they reside in France, British citizens are now considered third country citizens and can no longer transit France by land to get to France. their country of residence in the EU,” Eurotunnel said.

Infections in France have recently surged to a record high in part because of the more contagious Omicron variant, which ministers described as causing a “tide wave” of cases.

Daily cases in France hit more than 208,000 on Wednesday, the highest level since the start of the pandemic, marking a European record. However, the French Interior Ministry declined to comment on the travel restrictions or when they might end.

British government officials say they are urgently seeking clarification from the French government on the shipping rules.

Roland Moore, a public relations director and Belgian resident was this week come back when he tried to get his car into the shuttle service from England to France, said the sudden change in interpretation and lack of warning caused confusion after he managed to reverse the journey into previous December.

“Seven days ago was fine but a week later with no announcement it’s not okay,” said Moore, adding that he understands, however, that the French have taken measures to try to tackle the growing Covid cases. increase.

Moore made it to Belgium via a Eurostar train that also passed through France, and left the car with his family in the UK.

Changes to Anglo-French border measures have become particularly sensitive since Britain left the EU.

France banned all tourists and lorries from arriving from the UK for the 48 hours before Christmas 2020, in a separate attempt to prevent a new strain of coronavirus from emerging at the time, which was considered by many travelers. is excessive punishment.

Political controversies over how to control the Anglo-French border have raged since then over migration issues and dangerous sea crossings.

As a rule, Britons can transit through French airports in under 24 hours or reach their destination by train.

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