President Macron exempt from coronavirus quarantine during UK visit, Number 10 confirms
French President Macron will not be subject to the restrictions during his visit
2 min read
French President Emmanuel Macron will not be subject to the UK's coronavirus quarantine rules when he visits later this month, Number 10 has confirmed.
A Downing Street spokesperson said the French delegation would not be forced to undertake a 14-day quarantine when he makes his trip to the UK in the coming weeks because the visit qualifies for a special exemption.
Under current rules, most people entering the country are expected to provide UK officials with the details of where they will stay during the mandatory fortnight quaratine period, with those who fail to comply facing a £1,000 fine.
But asked if Mr Macron, who will visit London as part of efforts to start a "new chapter" between the nations, would be subject to the same restrictions, a Number 10 spokesperson, said: "No, he won't."
They added: "As we set out in the guidelines when they were published, the French delegation will fall within the exempted category of representative of a foreign country or territory travelling to undertake business in the UK."
The new rules, which came into force this week, provide exemptions for more than 40 categories of traveller, including key workers, air crew and passengers in transit to another location.
But the plans are now facing a formal legal challenge from British Airways, Ryanair and Easyjet, who claim they will have a "devastating effect on British tourism and the wider economy".
The airline group have applied for a judicial review of the policy in the High Court, claiming ministers had not provided a consultation or scientific evidence to support the plans.
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