France is set to impose new travel restrictions to and from the United Kingdom as Omicron cases are spreading rapidly through Europe. The new restrictions will require passengers to isolate themselves for at least 48 hours and will also restrict reasons for travel.

The move suddenly disrupted travel plans for families and others on both sides of the English Channel. Travelers questioned whether the measures were politically driven, and British officials suggested they were pointless, according to reports from Associated Press.

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France has also landed in controversy with the new travel rules. The restrictions imposed on those coming in from South Africa are stricter when compared to Britain, which has a higher case load of COVID-19 cases currently.

Jean Castex, the Prime Minister of France, said in a statement that the new rules will be put in place on Saturday, right after midnight. An individual’s vaccination status against COVID-19 will not adjust any requirements.

The French government is holding a special virus security meeting Friday that will address growing pressure on hospitals from rising infections in recent weeks, according to reports from Associated Press citing official statements.

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French government spokesman Gabriel Attal said that tourism and business travel to and from Britain will be strongly curtailed, and all those arriving from Britain will need to have a negative virus test less than 24 hours old, and to test again upon arrival and isolate “in a place they choose” for at least 48 hours pending the result. All people arriving from South Africa must quarantine for 10 days.

A day before the new travel curbs were announced by France, the United Kingdom recorded its highest ever daily new coronavirus infections, a surge reportedly driven by the new Omicron variant. Officials have warned that the situation seems to be getting worse as the holiday season approaches.

(With AP inputs)