British people travelling for work can visit France again after the country’s Covid rules were relaxed slightly for the first time since a near-total ban on visitors from the UK was put in place last month amid a surge in omicron cases. 

Travel is still only allowed for essential reasons, but business trips are now permitted with immediate effect as long as the traveller has a letter from their employer stating that the visit cannot be postponed.

British citizens with a home in another EU country are now also formally permitted to pass through France.

The changes were welcomed by Alexandre Holroyd, a French MP, who said it was “a first step in easing travel restrictions, which I continue to advocate”.

Travellers will still need to present proof of full vaccination and a negative Covid test taken within 24 hours, plus all the existing paperwork.