France has banned all non-essential travel from Britain, the day after the UK reported its highest ever daily Covid-19 case count.

As of midnight Saturday 18 December (France time) or 11pm on Friday 17 December, arrivals from the UK will not be able to travel into France for non-essential leisure or business reasons, according to the French government.

The move will throw winter ski holidays into disarray, with thousands of Britons booked in for holidays in the Alps over Christmas and into the New Year.

Here’s everything you need to know about the France travel ban.

Why has France banned British travellers?

France has banned British arrivals due to the rocketing number of omicron cases in the UK. The latest figures released on Wednesday showed new Covid-19 infections in the United Kingdom reached the highest daily level since the early 2020 start of the pandemic, with more than 78,000 reported.

While infections are rising fast in France, as of December 16 the country had registered just 240 confirmed positive cases of the omicron variant. However, the UK is known to sequence far more positive test samples, meaning the number of omicron infections is no doubt far higher in France than official figures suggest.

When will the France travel ban end?

This is not known; no end date has been given.

Who can still enter?

The only people who can travel from the UK to France will be French nationals or French residents returning home, people attending a funeral of a close relative, travel for medical reasons, travel for essential work, and a few other exceptional cases. Hauliers are exempt from the new rules.

I am in France – what should I do?

You may stay in France until you are due to return back to the UK. Remember you now need to take a pre-departure test within 72 hours of travelling home, and a Day 2 PCR test on arrival into the UK.

I am due to travel to France – what should I do?

If you have booked your flights and accommodation separately, there is no guarantee that you will be able to receive a full refund. However, most companies will offer the option to rebook for a later date or take a voucher. Contact your providers right away.

If your flight is cancelled, which could happen given the impending crash in demand for travel between the UK and France, then you will be eligible for a full refund within a week.

I have booked a package holiday to France – what should I do?

You will be covered. If you have booked combined accommodation and flights with an ATOL-bonded company and your trip cannot go ahead, you will be eligible to receive a full refund within two weeks. This will cover most ski holidays.

Can I travel on a Eurostar train through French territory?

This is not yet known, but it appears likely that you will be able to travel through France so long as you do not disembark the train.

Can I change planes in Paris Charles de Gaulle?

Yes. You will be able to change planes at Charles de Gaulle airport so long as you meet all the necessary entry requirements at your final destination, and that your stopover does not exceed 24 hours.

If I can go to France, what are the rules?

Fully vaccinated arrivals must take an antigen or PCR test within 24 hours of travel. On arrival, you must self-isolate for a minimum of 48 hours, and can only leave quarantine with a negative lateral flow or PCR test. All arrivals will need to register their address in a special app, and fill in a ‘sworn declaration’ health form. 

Masks are mandatory in all indoor public spaces, and you must show a valid pass sanitaire (NHS QR code is compatible with the TousAntiCovid app) to enter restaurants, bars, cafes, museums and some hotels. Over 65s need a third shot to activate their pass, and from January 15 this will apply to all age groups.