France closes borders to non-EU countries

France is to close its boundaries to nations outside the European Union from Sunday but has ended the speculations of imposing a new lockdown as the government continues to battle the measure to stop the spread of contagious coronavirus.

Prime minister Jean Castex published new rules on Friday that will prohibit entry from non-EU countries "unless there are compelling reasons," as he said France there was still a chance of avoiding added lockdown.

"We can still give ourselves a lot to avoid confinement," he said at the Elysee Palace at the end of a Defence Council meeting.

He warned "the question of a containment is legitimately raised" due to the amount of COVID-19 cases the country is dealing with, emphasizing that "the next few days will be decisive."

Those joining the country from the EU will need a negative PCR test for the elimination of cross-border workers.

On top of the travel restrictions, he announced a strengthening of controls on the 6 pm curfew, which is currently in place nationwide, parties, and the illegal opening of restaurants, so that "the excesses of a few do not...ruin the efforts of all".

AS the European Union is facing a shortage of coronavirus vaccine, some of the major cities in France have delayed their immunization drives and are likely to start the process in the coming few weeks.

An "instruction of particular firmness will be applied for those who defraud the rules in force," Prime Minister Castex said.

Non-food shopping centers of more than 20,000 square meters will also remain shut. Recently, it was revealed that France is recording over 2000 cases per week of the new coronavirus variant which was initially found in the United Kingdom and South Africa.

The United Kingdom has become the first country in the region to record over 100,000 coronavirus-related deaths. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson took the blame on himself and shared the pain with grieving families.