Britons were today left fearing for their upcoming summer holidays to France amid concerns they may have to quarantine for 14 days when returning to the UK.
Families urged Transport Secretary Grant Shapps to make a decision before thousands of them go on holiday and risk children not starting school in September.
Others said they were ‘praying’ that the Foreign Office’s travel advice for France does not change and that the country’s border remains upon for British travellers.
But some further tourists said the quarantine would not make a difference to them – and they would be happy to pay a fine upon return to Britain to avoid missing work.
However, other holidaymakers admitted they have already cancelled their holiday to France, with some calling off a trip this weekend with just days to go.
It comes as British travellers returning from Belgium, the Bahamas and Andorra will be ordered to self-isolate for 14 days following a spike in infections.
Malaysia and Brunei are to be taken off the list so travellers coming from there will no longer need to quarantine, and it is thought that Portugal could follow soon.
Matt Richards wrote on Twitter today: ‘Yes, a potential quarantine for me and my wife is not the end of the world. But 14 days quarantine would mean my children would miss the first week back at school and they’ve been off since March.’
Rachel Arnold, of Cheshire, said: ‘We want to go to France next week, Charente area, low Covid. Staying at a secluded house, no one else there. Thinking now not to go as ‘threat’ of quarantine looming. Ironically can’t afford to do a ten-day holiday here.’
And Sarah Eaves, from North London, tweeted: ‘Please make a decision on France in the next 24 hours before thousands of us with families go on holiday and risk children not starting school. Quarantine means we can cancel and get ££ back.’
Another worried holidaymaker, Emma Lewis, tweeted: ‘We’re due to drive through France to get to Italy in early September. Praying the French border stays open and FCO (Foreign and Commonwealth Office) advice for France doesn’t change.’
But Michael Porter, of Halifax, West Yorkshire, said he had cancelled a trip on Tuesday to go to France this Saturday for his wife’s 60th birthday.
And Twitter user Jamie, from London, said: ‘As father of the bride I have a wedding to attend in France on the 17th, so yes I’ll be going but need to work on my return or go bankrupt. So pay the fine or hire a pedalo.’
Meanwhile Matt Groombridge, from Deal, Kent, said: ‘Two-week quarantine imminent travelling to/from France… holiday was timed well, and it means I’ll get some peace and quiet on the ferry again.’
** Are you a British tourist concerned about an upcoming holiday to France? Please email us your story and picture to: mark.duell@mailonline.co.uk **
Travel experts said thousands of holidays could be at risk as France is ‘highly likely’ to be added to the quarantine list following a dramatic rise in coronavirus infections.
Tourists returning to the UK could soon be facing a 14 days in self-isolation amid speculation that France will be added to the Foreign Office’s quarantine list.
The number of daily coronavirus cases in France has soared in recent days, with 1,695 new infections being recorded just yesterday, as it battles a second wave.
It is thought that if the decision goes ahead holidaymakers may be forced to cancel their trips in order to avoid the two-week quarantine on their return.
Paul Charles, the boss of travel consultancy The PC Agency, said: ‘Unless France takes further significant steps to reduce its case numbers, then it’s highly likely to be added later next week as the increase must be causing worries in Westminster.
People wearing face masks walk along the beach in the French resort of Biarritz on Monday
Police officers tell people that wearing face masks is mandatory in Nice, France, on Monday
‘There are several hundred thousand British tourists in France at the moment so the government must give plenty of warning if it does change its advice later next week.’
Speaking about the prospect of tourists to France being forced to quarantine, Chancellor Rishi Sunak said this morning: ‘It’s a tricky situation.
‘What I can say to people is we are in the midst of a global pandemic, and that means there is always the risk of disruption to travel plans. People need to bear that in mind.
‘It is the right thing for us to do to keep everything under review on a constant basis to be talking with our scientists, our medical advisers.
‘If we need to take action, as you have seen overnight, we will not hesitate to do that. But in the meantime people should just continue to look at the guidance and take everything into account.’
** Are you a British tourist concerned about an upcoming holiday to France? Please email us your story and picture to: mark.duell@mailonline.co.uk **
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