France on Thursday relaxed its health restrictions which prevented “third country nationals” from entering the territory without “compelling reasons”.
After two days of confusion, it is relief for the British who wish to cross France. The latter has temporarily lifted the restrictions preventing these travelers in transit to Belgium or other European countries from using the Channel Tunnel with their vehicle.
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Indeed, the British, officially residents of a European Union country other than France and who to get there usually cross the country by car, as is the case during this period of return from the holidays, were prevented from doing so. Only those residing in France and passengers on Eurostar trains were not concerned.
At issue, the new restrictions in force in France, which is facing an outbreak of Covid-19 contaminations. The Interior Ministry had indeed responded initially that it was about the application of border instructions, updated on December 18 and which now impose a “compelling motive»To enter the territory. He had explained that the British were “third country nationals», A category of travelers for which transit to another EU country is not permitted.
This was also explained by Eurotunnel, the company that manages the tunnel, used by trains on which motorists load their car while they cross the Channel. Assailed with questions on Twitter, she replied Wednesday night that “Unless they hold a French residence, British citizens are now considered third country citizens and can no longer transit through France by road to reach their country of residence in the EU“.
Ditto for ferries: “Only those who have a residence in France will be allowed to enter FranceP&O Ferries tweeted.
Backpedaling
The application of these new instructions, which seems to have been done without prior information to either travelers or operators, took the regulars by surprise. “I’m completely lost, it doesn’t make sense!“, Confided this Thursday morning Fiona Navin-Jones, a Briton who has lived in Belgium for 14 years, and who had returned with her family to England by car for the end of the year. She ended up being able to take the Eurotunnel Shuttle on Thursday, having read that the spouses of people of European Union nationality were authorized to transit through France.
The British Foreign Office had for its part indicated asking “urgent clarifications from the French governmentAfter the discovery of the blockages. Appeals heard by the French Interior Ministry which finally backed down on Thursday. Many British nationals have surrendered “in good faith“In the UK for the holiday season and”find it difficult to reach their country of residence“, According to the ministry which therefore decided to send”tolerance guidelines»To border police forces so that everyone can reach their home.
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