UK Quarantine Rules On Expats In France Hit

For the 148,000 British expatriates living in France, the UK's decision to lift its quarantine requirement for fully vaccinated travelers from all EU countries except France was hard to take, according to a Euronews report.

Photo Insert: Paris Charles de Gaulle International Aiport

The 10-day mandatory self-isolation makes it almost impossible for them to visit their families in the UK, especially for those who have a job in France and little holiday time.

Dorcas Vance, an entrepreneur and English teacher who moved to France 20 years ago, told Euronews she hadn't been able to see her England-based family in two years, including her elderly father who recently had a heart attack.

"I went there two years ago for my dad's 80th and then he had a heart attack on his 81st birthday. So I haven't seen my parents for two years and you know, they're getting older," she told Euronews.

British authorities waived on Wednesday their 10-day self-isolation requirement for travelers from amber countries — which include the US and EU member states — as long as they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

But the measure, which comes into force on August 2, does not include France, which the UK has classed as "amber plus", citing the Beta variant as a concern

The UK is meanwhile on France's "orange" category, meaning that fully vaccinated people can travel to France without having to quarantine upon arrival.

'Getting used to canceling'

"I'm getting used to canceling now. I've canceled about four times," Vance said.

"I keep on being optimistic," she went on. "I've booked for Christmas. I hope I can go for Christmas."

"Boris is just changing his mind very freely all the time. I understand that he doesn't want people coming in from France because there are high numbers but it doesn't make it any easier."

Elaine Storie, a British expat who has lived in France for 12 years, faced a similar situation.

The English teacher, based in Macon north of Lyon, told Euronews she hadn't seen her 85-year old Scotland-based mother for a year.

"It's a long time for her to be on her own," she told Euronews.

WEEKLY FEATURE : PAL READY TO SOAR WITH PANDEMIC