PARIS (AP) – France says it is closing its borders to people arriving outside the European Union starting on Sunday to try to contain the growing spread of new variants of the virus and avoid a third blockade.
French Prime Minister Jean Castex announced the new measure on Friday night, after an emergency government meeting for health security at the presidential palace, warning of a “great risk” of the new variants.
All those arriving from other EU countries will be required to produce a negative virus test, he said.
France already had limits on international travel because of the virus and imposed stricter controls at airports and ports last week. International tourism in France has slowed because of 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 ordered intensified police enforcement of those who violate the 12-hour-a-day curfew in France, hold secret parties or reopen restaurants in defiance of a closure order in force since October.
Virus infections, hospitalizations and deaths have increased steadily, but not sharply in France in recent weeks, and many doctors are calling for a new national strike, like those imposed in several other European countries.
Citing the economic devastation of such measures, Castex said: “Our duty is to put everything in order to avoid a new blockade, and the next few days will be decisive.”
France recorded one of the largest virus deaths in the world, 75,620, and more than 60% of its intensive care beds are occupied by patients with viruses.
“More than ever, we must do everything to respect the rules,” said Castex.