Fears are growing that the restrictions could come into force, after the UK imposed a similar 14-day quarantine period for passengers arriving from France from 15 August. There was previously an air bridge in place, allowing isolation-free travel between the two nations.
The French government has now said that, following this, it intends to impose a reciprocal measure for all UK travellers.
Under Jersey’s traffic light system – where France is classed as ‘amber’ – people arriving from France are required to self-isolate for only five days, pending a negative PCR test taken on arrival and the fifth day. The Island is also outside of the UK. However, Jersey’s government has now confirmed that the French government is currently treating Islanders as arriving from the UK.
A spokesperson said: ‘At this stage, the French authorities are not distinguishing between the UK and Jersey for the purposes of quarantine and border measures.
‘The French government has made no official announcement on implementing a quarantine for UK travellers and as such there is currently no quarantine in place for UK or Jersey passengers arriving in France.’
However, speaking earlier this week, French Junior European Affairs Minister Clement Beaune told TV Channel France 2 that details of the new reciprocal measures would be announced shortly.
‘We will have a measure called reciprocity so that our British friends do not close the border in one single way,’ he said.
‘For travellers returning from the United Kingdom, there will probably be restrictive measures decided in the next few days by the Prime Minister and by the Defence Council.’
The possible restrictions could mean further hardship for Condor, which yesterday announced that it had suffered a 75% drop in income since the start of the Covid-19 crisis. In a statement issued this week, the company said that the implementation of a five-day quarantine period for arrivals into Jersey from France had had an ‘immediate and profound effect on bookings’.
A spokesperson said: ‘We are aware of reports that France could impose a 14-day quarantine on passenger arrivals, so are monitoring the situation closely.’
