France decided to tighten restrictions on travellers arriving from the United Kingdom, amid Omicron surge.
The decision came as infections linked to the Omicron coronavirus variant surge in Britain.
The latest figures showed new COVID-19 infections in the UK reached the highest daily level since the beginning of the pandemic.
More than 78,000 total cases reported on Wednesday.
Many countries have reimposed travel restrictions to stem the spread of the virus.
Omicron has so far been found in at least 77 countries, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
The World Health Organization has earlier warned that the global risk from Omicron variant is “very high” based on early evidence. It further said it could lead to surges with “severe consequences.”
The new variant was first identified in Botswana, before it rapidly outcompeting other versions of the virus in the region of South Africa that includes Johannesburg.
A health official calls it “the most significant variant” to date, but the UK didn’t confirm any cases to date.
“It is bad news, but it’s not doomsday,” an Oxford scientist tells the BBC.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps says the UK is taking a “safety-first approach” in regard to the travel ban.
Nine countries including Germany, Italy, Israel, France and Singapore have also restricted travel.
The World Health Organization will hold a special meeting later today to discuss the variant.
