France has entered third national lockdown as Covid cases surge - but has the country been added to the UK's red list?

France has entered its third national lockdown as Covid cases surge and the number of people in ICU rises (Photo: STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN/AFP via Getty Images)France has entered its third national lockdown as Covid cases surge and the number of people in ICU rises (Photo: STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN/AFP via Getty Images)
France has entered its third national lockdown as Covid cases surge and the number of people in ICU rises (Photo: STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN/AFP via Getty Images)

France has entered its third national lockdown as Covid cases surge and the number of people in ICU rises.

A national curfew was already in place in France from 7pm to 6am, with some areas of the country subject to additional restrictions.

However, the whole of mainland France is now subject to additional restrictions in response to a surge of Covid cases, including the closure of non-essential shops.

What are the Covid restrictions in France?

From 3 April, “the whole of mainland France is subject to additional restrictions in response to a rise in cases,” said the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

Non-essential shops are closed and exercise is permitted within a 10km radius.

From 5 April, travel to other regions is also banned, apart from professional purposes or in exceptional circumstances.

Attestations - also known as self-certificates - are required both for curfew and if you go further than 10km from your home.

Restaurants, bars and cafes will remain closed throughout France, alongside cinemas, theatres, museums and sport venues.

Outdoor gatherings of more than six people are not permitted and are subject to fines.The consumption of alcohol in public spaces is also forbidden.

A national curfew also remains in place from 7pm to 6am, with exemptions only applying to those with medical needs, caring responsibilities or working in roles which cannot be done from home.

However, attestations are again needed to leave the house during curfew hours, and are available on the French Interior Ministry website and through the ‘Tous anti-Covid’ digital app.

How many Covid cases does France have?

On Friday (2 April), the number of seriously ill patients with coronavirus in ICU increased by 145 - which was the biggest jump in five months - and the country currently has a peak of about 5,000 Covid patients in ICUs in total.

The country also recorded 46,677 new cases and 304 deaths on Friday.

Up until 3 April 2021, there have been 4,665,709 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in France and 95,690 deaths, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Is France on the UK’s red list?

France is not currently on the UK’s red list. The red list means arrivals from countries on the list are banned from entering the UK, unless you are a British or Irish National, or have residence rights in the UK. However, you must then quarantine in a government approved hotel for 10 days.

Travel overseas from the UK is currently banned - apart from a small number of exceptions- but the UK government has launched a new taskforce to review global travel, which will report on 12 April.

In England, the earliest date that holidays could resume is 17 May, which is the same for those in Scotland and Wales. However, Northern Ireland has not yet announced its own plans.