FRANCE holidays are no longer possible after the country was placed on the UK's quarantine list last week due to a rise in new coronavirus cases.
Thousands of Brits were forced to cut their holidays short to try and get home before the quarantine restrictions were enforced on August 15 – here is everything you need to know about the coronavirus situation in France.
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How many coronavirus cases have there been in France?
Cases of coronavirus in France have been continuing to rise, with total cases at 244,854.
With more than 30,000 deaths, France has the third-highest death toll in Europe, behind the UK and Italy.
Can I still travel to France?
Only essential travel to France is currently allowed under Government guidelines.
Therefore, going on holiday to France would be going against Government advice.
It would also be hard to get travel insurance now if travelling to France for leisure.
The country has officially been added to the UK's quarantine list due to a spike in coronavirus cases – the decision having been made by the UK government on Thursday, August 13, and enforced on August 15.
The country initially lifted the travel ban on June 15 and had been open for business with British tourists after the details of the travel corridor scheme were hammered out in early July.
It follows the UK quarantining holidaymakers coming home from Spain since July 26 as it warned that it could do the same to other European countries at any minute.
Malta and the Netherlands have since been placed on the quarantine list, along with Croatia and Austria.
Government officials in France warned that fresh lockdowns may be necessary to prevent renewed outbreaks in hotspot areas.
Attractions like Disneyland Paris have reopened, but there are many areas across France that require you to wear a mask in public.
The city of Toulouse has introduced new rules that make face masks compulsory in its busiest streets, with Paris having followed suit.
Will I need to quarantine?
Brits returning from France will have to carry out a two-week quarantine in the UK, and face a fine of up to £1,000 if they fail to self-isolate at home.
The deadline for coming back to the UK without the need to quarantine was Saturday, August 15, at 4am.
In the last week of July, thousands of tourists in Spain were warned they would have to self-isolate for 14 days on their return to the UK or face a £1,000 fine.
France is also likely to reciprocate, forcing Brits to quarantine for two weeks when entering the country as well.
Speaking to Sky News, Chancellor Rishi Sunak previously warned:"What I can say to people is we're in the midst of a global pandemic and that means there is always the risk of disruption to travel plans and people need to bear that in mind.
"It's the right thing for us to do to keep everything under review on a constant basis, talking with our scientists and medical advisers.
"And if we need to take action as you've seen overnight, we will of course not hesitate to do that and we're doing that to protect people's health.
"In the meantime people should look at the guidance and take everything into account and make a decision they think is best."
Can I cancel my holiday to France?
According to European Consumer Centre France, if your airline has cancelled your flight due to the coronavirus epidemic without proposing a replacement flight then you are entitled to a refund of the full price of the ticket.
However, you will not be able to demand additional compensation or damages because the cancellation is due to an exceptional event, unavoidable and external to the airline.
Check your carrier's website for the status of your flight and the exceptional measures offered by the airline.
Independent hotels are not required to refund money in this instance, so if you have paid in advance and choose not to turn up then you will lose your money.
If the hotel is a large chain, it could be worth asking to change your stay to another location or delay your trip but they are under no obligation to grant this.
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