From May 17, current travel restrictions will lift, with the travel traffic light system coming in to effect.
Each country has been assigned a colour – green, amber or red – as part of the traffic light travel system which designates whether you’ll need to self-isolate on return to the UK.
Green list countries will be places with low Covid-19 rates, and you won’t have to isolate upon return, while amber and red list countries are considered a higher risk and do require a period of self-isolation.
Travel to and from red list countries is greatly discouraged and only permitted if you have a legal reason to travel.
France was recently revealed to be a part of the amber list for when travel restrictions lift on May 17.
What does this mean for holidaymakers hoping to travel to France this summer?
Can I travel to France this summer?
While you will technically be allowed to travel to France this summer, there will be restrictions to consider when making your travel arrangements.
Like Spain, France will be on the amber list from May 17, meaning that there will be requirements in place that you are responsible for adhering to.
Travel experts told Metro.co.uk that the challenge holidaymakers going abroad face now is staying on top of the news and the changing permissible travel zones, so that you don’t lose bookings of non-refundable deposits on flights and accommodation should a country’s status change.
‘Travel insurance companies are getting very strict in terms of people claiming a lack of knowledge as their excuse for a refund when their permission to travel to a country changed. Remember, if you do have to quarantine on your return the costs of the 10-day isolation in a hotel will need to be added to the cost of you holiday and your time out from work!’
What are the current restrictions for travelling to France?
It is currently illegal to travel abroad for holidays, and you can only travel abroad if a you have permitted reason to travel abroad – such as for work or education, for example – and complete a declaration form.
From May 17, France will be on the amber list, meaning that those who choose to travel to France will have to quarantine upon their return to the UK.
If you do travel to an amber listed country, you must self-isolate for 10 days, unless you receive a negative result from a test taken at least five days after arrival.
You’ll also have to take a pre-departure test, plus Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests on both day two and day eight of your arrival in the UK.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has said that leisure travel to amber countries isn’t recommended.
Should you indeed travel to France, you must make sure your insurance covers you in case the Covid status changes or you become ill whilst you are in the country.
Will I need to quarantine on arrival in France?
Travelers arriving in France are currently required to self-isolate for seven days on arrival, and must have a negative test result at the end of their self-isolation period.
While you are in France and out of self-isolation, you will have you will have to adhere to the current lockdown restrictions in place.
This includes a national curfew from 7pm to 6am, while outdoor gatherings of more than six people are not permitted, and wearing face masks in enclosed public spaces and on public transport is compulsory.
In the whole of France, restaurants, bars and cafes remain closed, along with cinemas, theatres, museums and sport venues.
To find out more about France’s entry requirements, their restrictions and how to book a PCR test in France, head over to gov.uk.
When is the travel traffic light system reviewed?
Grant Schapps has confirmed that the countries on the traffic light travel system will be reviewed every three weeks.
This means that, should the infection rates of vaccine figures improve in France, it could mean that it moves up to be included on the green list of countries.
Of course, there is still always the risk that it may get worse and end up on the red list.
How are case numbers looking in France?
Over the past day, there have been 19,791 new cases in France, which is down considerably from the record high of 117,900 back in April 2021.
12.10% of the French population are also now fully vaccinated.
MORE : What is a Travel Test Package and how do you book one?
MORE : Traffic light system ‘won’t stop variants entering UK’ after travel ban lifted
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from metro.co.uk
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