According to Reuters, many British tourists were forced to return home hastily despite their summer vacation in France, before the 14-day quarantine came into effect. They travel by any means they can, such as airplanes, trains, boats, and even private jets.
The UK government had previously announced late on 13 August that it would impose a quarantine from 03:00 (local time) on 15 August for those entering the country from France. This means that about 160,000 UK tourists will have just over 24 hours to return home before the order takes effect.
The sudden change has taken a surprise hit to many tourists, airlines as well as travel companies - which have suffered many losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Many British tourists head to the port of Calais, France in the hope of catching up with a ferry or train back home. We changed our plans when we heard the news last night and returned home early so we wouldnt be isolated, a British tourist shared.
Many long lines of cars lined up in Calais all afternoon. Jean-Marc Puissesseau, representative of the port of Calais, said that ferry companies are adding more trips to help take people home.
Meanwhile, PrivateFly, a UK-based private jet supplier, has recorded three times more requests and bookings than normal.
Quarantine rules will apply to entry from France - the second most popular vacation destination for the UK - as well as the Netherlands and the Mediterranean island of Malta. Spain has been on the list since July 26.
We have received a request to change the schedule to avoid distance from many customers who are planning to go to these places, said PrivateFly CEO Adam Twidell.
When many European countries first issued a lockdown in March, the UK government was criticized for its delay in limiting the number of visitors from abroad. However, since June, the UK has imposed strict quarantine regulations for entry from countries with worrying infection rates.
Transport Minister Grant Shapps said the government needs to balance the need to open up the economy and prevent the SARS-CoV-2 virus from spreading. As of the morning of August 15, the UK has recorded 316,367 cases of COVID-19, of which 41,358 have died.
As we see many countries increasing the number of COVID-19 cases, we really have no other choice and are forced to act, the Minister shared on Sky News and said he understood the uncomfortable situation with tourists but they needed sympathy for the complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic.
