France imposes new border controls to avoid another nationwide lockdown amid COVID-19 surge

France imposed new border controls from Sunday in efforts to contain the spread of coronavirus and avoid another lockdown in a nation where the COVID-19 disease has infected nearly 3.1 million people and killed over 73,000. 

Nearly a million people received the first jab of the COVID-19 vaccine by Saturday in France after a slow rollout of vaccinations, reports AFP. However, the Emmanuel Macron-led nation might need another full lockdown amid high rates of new infections, hospitalisations and deaths from the virus.

France went into lockdown twice in 2020, the first time between March and May and then October to December. If imposed, it would be the third full lockdown that could be more devastating for businesses and normal lives.

Also Read: France drugmaker Sanofi could lend helping had to rivals’ COVID vaccines

Under new imposed border controls, people arriving in France from other European Union nations via air or sea will need to have negative PCR test results obtained in the previous 72 hours, reports AFP. The requirement has already been applied to non-EU travellers since mid-January. 

Meanwhile, EU arrivals entering the nation via land, including cross-border workers, will not need a negative test. 

According to French Transport Minister Jean-Baptiste Djebbari, around 62,000 people arrive weekly in France as of now via air or sea from other EU nations.