[Article updated with comments regarding lorry drivers entering France]
From Monday 18 January, people arriving in France from outside the EU will have to show a negative result from a PCR test, self-isolate for seven days from arrival and then take a second PCR test at the end of those seven days.
The PCR test must have been taken less than 72 hours before arrival. The new directive represent a tightening of the rules as arrivals were previously permitted to present negative results from antigen tests.
The new measures were announced by foreign minister Jean-Baptiste Djebarri.
For those arrivals coming from the small number of countries where getting a PCR test before departure is not possible, the French authorities will accept a consular laissez-passer document but the passenger will be tested on arrival. In this case, self-isolation will take place in a quarantine facility designated by the state, the minister said.
France’s European affairs minister Clement Beaune highlighted that the measures will apply to people arriving in France from the UK.
Despite this assertion, the UK's transport secretary told the BBC this morning there was an arrangement allowing lorry drivers crossing the Channel into France to use rapid lateral flow tests "at the moment".
Jim McMahon, the UK's shadow transport secretary, said: "Telling UK hauliers they will be exempt from these new rules 'for the time being' is simply not good enough.
"These are essential workers trying to do their jobs who now face being caught up once again in the chaos we saw before Christmas. This Government must deliver on the promises it made to businesses and hauliers - that things would run smoothly after the transition period ends."