Anger after UK U-turn on France travel restrictions

Tourists and the travel industry are venting frustration and anger after Britain reversed a plan to ease travel restrictions on France just two days after the change was due to start, citing concerns about a variant of the coronavirus.

The U.K. government says people arriving from France must self-isolate for 10 days on entering Britain, even if they are fully vaccinated.

The announcement came just days after the government said fully vaccinated U.K. residents will no longer face quarantine starting Monday when arriving from European Union nations and dozens of other countries.

British health authorities say France is being singled out because of cases of the beta variant, which is believed to be more resistant to vaccines than other strains.

Advocates for the travel industry reacted with frustration.

"The government needs to give some financial assistance to the travel industry", ABTA spokesperson Sean Tipton told British broadcaster Sky News.

Travelers also expressed frustration after discovering that they would need to quarantine when returning home despite being fully vaccinated.

"The government don't seem to be able to act in a proactive manner that gives people enough time to be able to plan all these things", Ian Marcroft told Sky after cancelling his holiday to France.

The beta variant accounts for about 10% of cases in France, but much less than 1% of cases in Britain.

In both countries, the delta variant first identified in India is dominant.