Many Britons are looking at other ways to travel to France after the French government has closed borders to the UK. One alternative way is travel to France via Netherlands or Belgium.
Britons react with anger and disbelief at the blocking of British holidaymakers. Many thousands of Britons see their winter holidays in ruins as a result. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has expressed his incomprehension about this and calls the selective measure ‘disproportionate’.
France has decided to close the borders for British tourists from next Saturday morning (red. 18 December).
This has led to a rush for alternative travel options such as by train or via other countries such as traveling by train via the Netherlands or Belgium.
The great British outcry is partly due to the fact that other European countries have relatively more infections than the United Kingdom. France explains the measure by the rapid increase in the number of omnicron infections in the UK.
The British are not happy to say the least that many of their holidays are ruined. They also have to find out whether they will get their money back.
Travel to the the Netherlands less strict
People who travel to the Netherlands must meet certain requirements, but fortunately it is not as strict as in Italy and Greece, where mandatory testing applies. Travelers from countries that fall under the Schengen area only need to show a corona certificate via the well-known CoronaCheck app. The UK does not fall under the Schengen area, separate rules apply to this.
Travelling from and returning to the UK
Check what you must do to travel abroad and return to England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
If you plan to pass through another country to return to the UK, check the travel advice for the country you’re transiting. If you will pass through a red list country, book your hotel quarantine package before travelling to the UK.
You are responsible for organising your own COVID-19 test, in line with UK government testing requirements. The Dutch Municipal Health Service (GGD) can only be used for testing if you have COVID-19 symptoms. See the Dutch Government’s website for more details of how and where to get tested for travel purposes. Always check that the type of test and the test result certificate meets the full testing requirements (e.g. name of the test provider and their contact details, if appropriate) for entry into either England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Photo: Guy Ducas