France 'threatened to close border with Britain unless UK brought in coronavirus shutdown measures' – Daily Mail, Dailymail.co.uk

France ‘threatened to close its border with Britain unless the UK brought in coronavirus shutdown measures’

• President Emmanuel Macron said to have told PM on Friday: ‘France would have no choice but to refuse entry for all travelers from UK’ if situation did not change
• Boris Johnson then announced shutdown of pubs, cafes, bars and restaurants, bringing Britain in line with its EU neighbors
• Elysee Palace source had earlier said reckless British policy dubbed ‘benign neglect’ by French was clearly not working

Coronavirus symptoms : what are they and should you see a doctor?

By Peter Allen for MailOnline

Published: : EDT (March)

:

: EDT, March

Threatened to close its border with Britain unless it introduced shutdown measures to stop the threat of (coronavirus) , aides to President Emmanuel Macron claimed tonight.

The head of state’s staff said that he called Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Friday night and told him that unless the situation quickly changed, ‘France would have no other choice but to refuse entry for all travelers from the United Kingdom.

Mr Johnson responded by announcing the shutdown of pubs, cafes, bars and restaurants, bringing Britain in line with its EU neighbors.

An Elysee Palace source told Liberation newspaper that if Mr Macron had carried out his threat to close all borders with the UK, ‘ all the other European states would have done the same, which would have been very bad news for the British economy ‘.

France threatened to close its border with Britain unless it introduced shutdown measures to stop the threat of coronavirus , aides to President Emmanuel Macron claimed tonight

The head of state’s staff said that he called Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Friday night and told him that unless the situation quickly changed, ‘France would have no other choice but to refuse entry for all travellers from the United Kingdom’

Mr Johnson responded by announcing the shutdown of pubs, cafes, bars and restaurants, bringing Britain in line with its EU neighbors. (Above, a deserted Oxford Street on Saturday)

The source said that a reckless British policy dubbed ‘benign neglect’ by the French had clearly not been working, and that Mr Macron felt he had to appeal to Mr Johnson directly.

On Tuesday, Edouard Philippe, Mr Macron’s prime minister, had first announced that British nationals would be banned from France if the UK failed to adopt more radical coronavirus containment measures.

During a live TV address from Paris, Mr Philippe expressed extreme frustration that Britain was lagging behind in the ‘war’ against the deadly illness. (

‘Everyone within the European Union must adopt coherent m ethods and processes to fight the epidemic, as in Italy, France and Spain ‘, said Mr Philippe.

The British make up the biggest foreign visitor group to Paris, which is normally the most popular tourist city in the world. (Pictured, shoppers in Paris today)

An Elysee Palace source said that a reckless British policy dubbed ‘benign neglect’ by the French had clearly not been working, and that Mr Macron felt he had to appeal to Mr Johnson directly. (Above, the PM and Mr Macron last August)

On Tuesday, Edouard Philippe (above), Mr Macron’s prime minister, had first announced that British nationals would be banned from France if the UK failed to adopt more radical coronavirus containment measures

‘It goes without saying that if neighbors states such as the United Kingdom spend too long continuing to avoid these containment measures, then we would have difficulty accepting British nationals who would move freely in their own country and then come to our country, ‘the Prime Minister had added.

Mr Philippe was speaking on the first day of a nationwide lockdown in his own country, which has seen major cities including Paris grind to a halt.

A ban would have caused huge problems for the millions of British nationals who have professiona l and personal links with France.

The British make up the biggest foreign visitor group to Paris, which It is usually the most popular tourist city in the world.

People in France currently need documentation to leave the house, even for routine tasks such as shopping or walking the dog, for example. There are currently 100, (police and gendarmes officers enforcing such draconian restrictions

While restrictions on movement and lifestyle are growing every day in EU countries, post-Brexit Britain is perceived to be lagging behind.

People in France need documentation to leave the house, even for routine tasks such as shopping or walking the dog, for example.

There are currently , police and gendarmes officers enforcing such draconian restrictions.

Fines for anyone caught without these ‘ attestations’ have risen to the equivalent of £ 118, and people are also being arrested.

            

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Read More