PARIS (AP) – France says it is closing its borders to people arriving from outside the European Union from Sunday to try to stop the spread of new variants of the virus and avoid a third deadlock.
French Prime Minister Jean Castex announced the new measure on Friday night after an emergency meeting of the government’s health security at the presidential palace, warning of “a great risk” of the new variants.
Anyone arriving from other EU countries will be required to take a negative virus test, he said.
France already had limits on cross-border travel due to the virus and imposed tougher controls at airports and ports last week. International tourism to France has slowed due to the pandemic, and restaurants and tourist sites have been closed since October, along with many hotels.
France will also close all major shopping centers from Sunday and limit travel to and from its overseas territories.
Castex has ordered intensified police checks for those who violate France’s timetable 12 hours a day, hold secret parties or reopen restaurants, defying an October closure order.
Virus infections, hospitalizations and deaths have risen steadily, but not abruptly, in France in recent weeks and many doctors have called for a new nationwide shutdown, such as those imposed in several other European countries.
Citing the economic devastation of these measures, Castex said: “It is our duty to put everything in order to avoid a new blockade, and the next few days will be decisive.”
France reported among the highest number of viral deaths in the world, at 75,620, and over 60% of its intensive care beds are occupied by virus patients.
“More than ever, we should do our best to follow the rules,” Castex said.