PARIS – France banned British tourists due to fears over the Omicron variant of the coronavirus.

The ban was announced on Thursday (Dec. 16), just two days before the start of the holiday season.

France’s statistics office forecast this week that the country’s economic recovery from the pandemic had proved stronger than expected this year, with growth on course for a 52-year high as COVID restrictions had been eased and the vaccination campaign gained momentum from mid-year.

But for the ski sector, hoping for better times after the 2020/2021 season was all but wiped out, with ski lifts ordered shut, that is of little comfort.

Under the new rules, holiday travel from Britain is not allowed to France – unless you are French, your partner is French or you are a permanent resident there.