Confusion has erupted over a tweet posted by Eurotunnel telling Brits who live in the EU that they can no longer travel through France because of new Covid restrictions.
On Wednesday Eurotunnel posted an urgent warning on Twitter telling Brits that “unless they hold French residency, British citizens are now considered 3rd country citizens and can no longer transit France by road to reach their country of residence in the EU.”
This comes after French president Emmanuel Macron introduced new Covid laws to help stop the spread of the new Omicron variant.
URGENT UPDATE FOR BRITISH RESIDENTS IN EU: Following a French Government decision, on 28/12/2021, unless they hold French residency, British citizens are now considered 3rd country citizens and can no longer transit France by road to reach their country of residence in the EU. pic.twitter.com/KGNr3FpWM2
— Eurotunnel Le Shuttle (@LeShuttle) December 29, 2021
However, there appears to have been some confusion on this issue as the French Interior Ministry have reportedly confirmed that any British travellers with the correct documentation would be able to travel through France, and that anyone with ‘compelling reasons’ such as travelling to a home in an EU country would be able to make the journey.
The tweet has ignited debate on social media with many people labelling the ban on Brits travelling through France a result of Brexit and not the pandemic.
Another dose of Brexit reality!
— Bob (@bobrmitchell) December 30, 2021
Bloody hell…France has control of its own borders and is still in the EU!….. https://t.co/vRLx6jD8Lb
This is the government of the Republic of France, a sovereign state, taking control of its borders.
— Howard Goodall (@Howard_Goodall) December 30, 2021
France is also a member of the EU.
Penny dropped yet? https://t.co/fd8Ych5TPr
That smell? That’s the sweet smell of #brexit unicorns rotting in lay-bys on the A2. https://t.co/sdBIQHfMz4
— Simon Gosden. Esq. #fbpe 3.5% 🕷🇪🇺🇬🇧🏴☠️🦠💙 (@g_gosden) December 30, 2021
Nice one @BorisJohnson another one to add to the list of the triumphs of #Brexit🙈 https://t.co/2ljFZcNZcw
— Aamer Anwar✊🏾🏳️🌈#BlackLivesMatter (@AamerAnwar) December 29, 2021
Don’t worry guys, Boris told us in 2016 that the Vienna Treaty will save us so it must be true https://t.co/s83OP8zzXe pic.twitter.com/VoRohfi40H
— Dr Alex Bulat (@alexandrabulat) December 29, 2021
Nice one @BorisJohnson another one to add to the list of the triumphs of #Brexit🙈 https://t.co/2ljFZcNZcw
— Aamer Anwar✊🏾🏳️🌈#BlackLivesMatter (@AamerAnwar) December 29, 2021
The French ambassador to the UK, Catherine Colonna, confirmed on social media that “under the current rules a compelling reason is required to enter France.”
Under the current rules a compelling reason is required to enter France, you may find additional information including the list of compelling reasons in our FAQ/link below. Pls refer any other query to our Consulates. Stay safe.https://t.co/h3VrH3LRdK
— Catherine Colonna (@AmbColonna) December 29, 2021
France’s new Covid laws makes mask-wearing on the streets of Paris mandatory from Friday with a €135 Euro fine being issued to those that don’t comply.
