France could follow Germany in imposing tougher restrictions on people arriving from Britain because of fears over the Indian variant of Covid-19.
Foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said French authorities were worried about the spread of the variant, which is feared to be more transmissible than the previously dominant UK strain.
“We hope that the variant can be controlled in a country which experienced real failures during the pandemic,” he said.
Mr Le Drian told French television that Paris could impose “health measures that are a bit stronger” on people coming from Britain.
He suggested these could be weaker than the strictest “red list” measures that France is imposing on visitors from India and 15 other countries.
People from these countries can only enter France if they have a pressing reason, must test negative in a PCR check and quarantine for 10 days.
“It won’t be the red treatment if we have to do it, it will be an intermediate treatment,” Mr Le Drian said.
“But it is not excluded – this springs to mind because of British tourists – that we have health measures that are a bit stronger.”
Fears over the UK variant led to a chaotic border closure leading up to Christmas, before special rules were imposed for road hauliers.
France is currently on the UK's amber list, meaning anyone returning from the country must quarantine at home on their return to England.
Mr Le Drian said French authorities were in contact with their British counterparts about the variant.
Vaccine study raises UK's hopes of June 21 unlocking
As of May 19, 3,424 cases of the mutant B.1.617.2 strain had been found in the UK.
A study published at the weekend found that two doses of the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines were nearly as effective against the Indian variant as against the UK strain.
While 43 per cent of the adult population has had two doses in the UK, only 19 per cent of adults are similarly protected in France.
Ministers in the UK have expressed confidence that Britain can go ahead as planned and lift almost all lockdown restrictions on June 21.
Despite this, Germany on Friday added the UK to its list of high-risk areas because of concerns over the variant.
It means visitors from the UK have to quarantine for two weeks on arrival and cannot shorten their isolation by testing negative for the virus.
Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed concern about the variant “which seems to be somewhat more aggressive” than the UK variant.
The Indian variant accounted for about 2 per cent of cases in Germany in the first week of May, according to a weekly report by the country’s public health institute.
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Power: 650hp at 6,750rpm
Torque: 800Nm from 2,500-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Fuel consumption: 11.12L/100km
Price: From Dh796,600
On sale: now
The biog
Favourite film: The Notebook
Favourite book: What I know for sure by Oprah Winfrey
Favourite quote: “Social equality is the only basis of human happiness” Nelson Madela. Hometown: Emmen, The Netherlands
Favourite activities: Walking on the beach, eating at restaurants and spending time with friends
Job: Founder and Managing Director of Mawaheb from Beautiful Peopl
if you go
The flights Fly Dubai, Air Arabia, Emirates, Etihad, and Royal Jordanian all offer direct, three-and-a-half-hour flights from the UAE to the Jordanian capital Amman. Alternatively, from June Fly Dubai will offer a new direct service from Dubai to Aqaba in the south of the country. See the airlines’ respective sites for varying prices or search on reliable price-comparison site Skyscanner.
The trip
Jamie Lafferty was a guest of the Jordan Tourist Board. For more information on adventure tourism in Jordan see Visit Jordan. A number of new and established tour companies offer the chance to go caving, rock-climbing, canyoning, and mountaineering in Jordan. Prices vary depending on how many activities you want to do and how many days you plan to stay in the country. Among the leaders are Terhaal, who offer a two-day canyoning trip from Dh845 per person. If you really want to push your limits, contact the Stronger Team. For a more trek-focused trip, KE Adventure offers an eight-day trip from Dh5,300 per person.
At Everton Appearances: 77; Goals: 17
At Manchester United Appearances: 559; Goals: 253
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 2x201bhp AC Permanent-magnetic electric
Transmission: n/a
Power: 402bhp
Torque: 659Nm
Price estimate: Dh200,000
On sale: Q3 2022
The five pillars of Islam
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
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Champions League Last 16
Red Bull Salzburg (AUT) v Bayern Munich (GER)
Sporting Lisbon (POR) v Manchester City (ENG)
Benfica (POR) v Ajax (NED)
Chelsea (ENG) v Lille (FRA)
Atletico Madrid (ESP) v Manchester United (ENG)
Villarreal (ESP) v Juventus (ITA)
Inter Milan (ITA) v Liverpool (ENG)
Paris Saint-Germain v Real Madrid (ESP)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Silent Hill f
Publisher: Konami
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Rating: 4.5/5
