France is expected to reopen its border with the UK but only to its own nationals, residents of France and professionals such as truck drivers, all of whom will have to provide a recent negative test, according to French public radio, reports The Guardian.
Britons or other non-French nationals with a permanent residence in France will be able to return, but the border is set to remain closed to all other non-French citizens in the UK, France Info said. It was not yet clear how long the measures would be in place.
The announcement came as the European commission advised all 27 member states to discontinue bans on flights and trains from the UK and to reopen freight routes to “ensure essential supply chains continue to function”, including for Covid vaccines. The restrictions were brought in to reduce the spread of a new coronavirus variant discovered in the UK.
The EU’s executive branch said UK nationals still had the right to free movement until 1 January and “should be exempted from further temporary restrictions provided that they undergo a test or quarantine”.
Cargo flows “need to continue uninterrupted … not least to ensure the timely distribution of Covid-19 vaccines”, the commission said. Brussels warned, however, that at the end of the transition period only “essential” travel will be permitted unless the member states add the UK to a list of countries exempted from restrictions.
Didier Reynders, the commissioner for justice, said: “Given the current uncertainties and in light of the precautionary principle, member states should take coordinated action to discourage non-essential travel between the UK and the EU.
“At the same time, blanket travel bans should not prevent thousands of EU and UK citizens from returning to their homes.”