Two groups of the coronavirus variant discovered in the UK have been detected in France, the Ministry of Health said on Thursday. The discovery comes as Prime Minister Jean Castex announces an extension of the border closure between the UK and France.
A total of 19 cases of the variant have been identified in the country, including a cluster in central France, Ile-de-France, and another in Brittany, west of the country, the ministry said in a statement.
The border between Britain and France will remain closed “until further notice”, with only specific categories of people able to travel – as long as they have a negative coronavirus test before entering the country – Castex said at a press conference.
“We are now just over 15,000 new cases daily, or three times the target of 5,000,” said Castex. The rise in infections is getting worse than in mid-December, he warned.
On December 20, France closed its border with Britain after a new variant of Covid-19 was found in the United Kingdom. Two days later, Castex said French citizens, residents and those with a “legitimate reason” can enter, as long as they present proof of a negative Covid-19 test.
The coronavirus has already killed 66,841 people in France, according to the latest figures released by the Health Authority on Thursday. A total of 2,727,321 people have been infected with the virus since the beginning of the pandemic.