Coronavirus: France finds first case of new variant Published duration 6 hours ago.
France has confirmed the first case in the country of the more contagious coronavirus variant recently identified in the UK.
The appearance of the new coronavirus variant in England triggered travel curbs with dozens of countries.
France closed its border but ended its ban on Wednesday, providing people tested negative before travelling.
Last week, France lifted its national lockdown, but the government said the infection rate had not fallen sufficiently for a further easing.
France has reported more than 2.5 million confirmed Covid infections since the start of the outbreak, with more than 62,000 deaths.
media caption Isabella Hussell was onboard a ferry from Portsmouth to France when it was cancelled. »