France reopens borders for travellers

Cafes and restaurants are reopening across France and travel to other European countries is being allowed, with French President Emmanuel Macron lifting a number of coronavirus restrictions.

More than 29,400 people have died of coronavirus in France, and the country has had 194,000 confirmed cases – although the number of new cases has slowed markedly in recent days.

President Macron first imposed a strict lockdown on March 17. These remained in place until May 11, when the country began to cautiously ease restrictions. In a televised address Macron said France had won its “first victory” but he warned the virus could return.

However, the president added, “this does not mean that the virus has gone and that we can completely drop our guard. The summer of 2020 will be a summer unlike any other and we will need to watch the evolution of the epidemic to be prepared in case it comes back with renewed strength.”

Meanwhile, Germany, Belgium, Croatia and Switzerland have reopened borders with EU countries on Monday. Travellers from the UK will be able to visit these four countries without quarantine or restrictions upon arrival.

The European Commission encouraged the lifting of all internal border restrictions from Monday. The Czech Republic is allowing unrestricted travel to and from 26 states but is still banning people from Belgium, Portugal, Sweden and the UK.

Greece has opened its borders and is allowing travellers from farther afield such as Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea to enter. Italy already reopened its borders on June 3 as did Poland, which opened to EU travellers on June 13.