Coronavirus: Ministers refuse to rule out France being next on UK's quarantine list

Video report by ITV News Consumer Editor Chris Choi

Two senior Cabinet ministers have refused to rule out the possibility of France being removed from the UK's list of safe travel destinations, amid reports it could be the next country to face quarantines.

When asked if France could be next, Chancellor Rishi Sunak said he "can't speculate", adding how ministers are keeping "everything under constant review".

Asked the same question, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Michael Gove said there is "evidence that across the European Union the number of [coronavirus] outbreaks is increasing".

As such, he said it was "important" for the UK to "show vigilance" by being ready to impose restrictions when necessary.

A source told ITV News there were concerns over France, with coronavirus cases there reaching a two-month high.

Belgium, Andorra and the Bahamas lost their quarantine exempted status on Thursday evening, meaning anyone returning from there from Saturday must isolate for 14 days.

Mr Sunak said his advice to hopeful holidaymakers is that "we're dealing with a global pandemic, and given that, it does mean that there's a risk to travel and travel can be disrupted".

"People need to be mindful of that," he added.

He acknowledged the "frustrating" situation for travellers but said "it's right that we keep things under review and if we think we can improve our health security by making these changes then of course it's the right thing for us to do".

"People should just constantly look at the guidance, see what we're saying and then make the best decisions they can, knowing that we're living in uncertain times."

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the new additions to the quarantine list were "another reminder of how quickly the international situation can change".

Which is why, she said, she wanted to "remind everyone to think very carefully about booking non-essential foreign travel".

"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," Mr Sunak earlier told Sky News.

(PA Graphics) Credit: PA Graphics

France’s coronavirus rate has increased steadily in the past month to 13.2 new infections per 100,000 people, suggesting the spread is worse than in the UK, which has a rate of 8.4.However, France still appears to be faring better than Belgium, which has seen its rate soar to 27.8. It also has a rate lower than Spain’s when it was added to the restriction list at around 27.4.

Earlier Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said rising Covid-19 infection levels in Belgium, Andorra and The Bahamas meant they would be added to the quarantine list.

The measure will come into force in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland from 4am on Saturday after they were introduced in Wales from Friday.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office also updated its travel advice to warn against all but essential trips to the three countries.

Brunei and Malaysia have been added to the Government’s travel corridor list, following a decrease in confirmed cases of coronavirus, meaning arrivals from these countries no longer need to quarantine.

In Andorra, new cases per week have increased five-fold since mid-July, while in The Bahamas the weekly case rate peaked at 78.6 last week, up from 3.1 in the middle of last month.

The UK’s move to add Spain onto the quarantine list on July 26 sparked a diplomatic row with the nation and caught out holidaymakers who had already flown over, including Mr Shapps.

It also angered transport bosses who have called for increased testing to reduce the isolation period.