As of Thursday 16th December 2021, the French government has confirmed a tightening of the border controls with the UK , following the rapid evolution of the Omicron pandemic.
The border restrictions are due to come into effect as of midnight Saturday (Friday night to Saturday), for an indeterminate period , following an official announcement expected later on today.
As well as a shortening of a negative PCR test result from 48hrs to 24hrs , travelers returning to France will need to self-isolate for up to 7 days, with the possibility of early release after 48hrs following a negative test.
Nonetheless, passengers coming from the UK must have an imperative reason for coming to France. Whatever the definition of imperative, tourism will not be considered one, which puts pay to British holidaymakers wanting to ski this weekend and, in all likelihood, Christmas week. It is likely New Year's bookings will be impacted as France attempts to hold back the tide ...
The French announcement has come just as the UK has relaxed it's red list of Omicron countries as the impact of restricting travel further has little impact on the spread within the UK population now.
As previously announced in Switzerland's case, our view right now is to sit tight certainly for ski bookings in a week or two's time . This will be a rapidly evolving situation, and Omicron is already present in France.
In our opinion, with generous cancellation policies in place, skiers who want to enjoy the first open chairlifts in 18 months should sit tight for as long as possible before canceling.
Ski holidays in the Swiss Alps
