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Visitors travelling from the UK to France will have to self-isolate for 14 days to prevent the spread of coronavirus, the French government has announced.
The decision comes after home secretary Priti Patel announced on Friday that people travelling from France to the UK would have to quarantine for a fortnight if they arrived on or after June 8.
State broadcaster France 24 reported on Saturday morning that France “regrets” the decision made by Patel, adding that the nation “stands ready to impose reciprocal measures.”
When the new quarantine measures were first announced it was stated that France would be made exempt from the restrictions – a decision which has now been overturned.
According to the BBC, French leaders said it would impose reciprocal measures for any European country enforcing a quarantine.
France said it would impose reciprocal measures for any European country enforcing a quarantine.
Speaking at the Downing Street briefing, Patel said travellers to the UK will need to tell the government where they will quarantine, and could face fines of up to £1,000 in England if they do not comply.
She added that the measure would “reduce the risk of cases crossing our border”.
Lorry drivers, seasonal farm workers, and coronavirus medics will be exempt, as will everyone travelling from the Republic of Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.