Authorities have said that France may introduce stricter coronavirus restrictions for British visitors when tourism reopens this summer to prevent the spread of a worrying virus variant first detected in India and causing concern in Britain.

The possibility of tighter restrictions for British tourists was raised by Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian.

The minister suggested that Britain could be put in a health category of its own, somewhere in between the strictest measures that France is imposing on visitors from India and 15 other countries, and more relaxed requirements being readied for visitors from the European Union and some other countries.

French President Emmanuel Macron speaks with local residents during a visit to mark the reopening of cultural activities after closures during the Covid-19 pandemic, in Nevers, central France, May 21. — AP
French President Emmanuel Macron speaks with local residents during a visit to mark the reopening of cultural activities after closures during the Covid-19 pandemic, in Nevers, central France, May 21. — AP

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