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France has reported its first confirmed case of the new variant of the coronavirus, which was first discovered in the UK, the country’s health ministry said.
The case is a French citizen living in England who had left London for Tours, France, on December 19.
They currently isolate themselves at home and are said to be fine.
The new variant, dubbed VUI-202012/01, has worried experts and world leaders as it is believed to be up to 70% more transmissible, which means it can spread much faster.
After the variant was identified in south-east England, countries around the world were soon quick to close their borders to the UK and prevent it from reaching their citizens.
France imposed some of the strictest travel restrictions on UK travelers, preventing carriers from crossing the English Channel in the run-up to Christmas and causing chaos in the port of Dover.
On Tuesday evening, the UK and French governments reached an agreement allowing the resumption of rail, air and sea services for French citizens or residents, or for urgent reasons, such as carriers carrying goods.
They are now allowed to cross the border if they have a negative coronavirus test.
However, the new case variant discovered by French health authorities entered France before the travel ban was imposed.
Earlier this week, French Health Minister Olivier Veran admitted that it was “entirely possible” that the new variant was already circulating in the country, even though officials had found no evidence at the time.
