<p>French Prime Minister Jean Castex on Friday said the country would close its borders to non-European Union countries for all except essential travel, while stepping back from a widely anticipated third lockdown.</p>.<p>The travel ban will come into force from Sunday to try to limit the spread of new variant cases of coronavirus from abroad.</p>.<p>Castex, speaking after a meeting of the country's defence council, said he was not announcing a fresh national lockdown for now, adding that "the next few days will be decisive" in terms of any possible new restrictions.</p>.<p>President Emmanuel Macron added: "Lockdown is a legitimate question... (but) we all know the heavy impact that has on all fronts."</p>.<p>In an attempt to stem the number of new infections, Castex said big shopping centres -- excluding those selling food -- would be closed from Sunday and enforcement of the current 6pm curfew would be stepped up.</p>.<p><strong>Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/science-and-environment/astrazeneca-vaccine-quasi-ineffective-for-people-over-65-says-french-president-emmanuel-macron-945131.html" target="_blank">AstraZeneca vaccine 'quasi-ineffective' for people over 65, says French President Emmanuel Macron</a></strong></p>.<p>"More police and gendarmes will be mobilised to check non-compliance with the curfew, the organisation of clandestine parties and the illegal opening of restaurants."</p>.<p>He said only essential travel would be allowed to and from non-EU countries and all arrivals in France from inside the bloc except cross-border workers would be required to show a negative PCR test.</p>.<p>The requirement was previously imposed for air and sea travellers but would now also apply to those travelling by land too.</p>.<p>With schools and shops still open but restaurants and bars closed, France has fewer restrictions than some European neighbours.</p>.<p>The government, however, has been aware of growing fatigue among the public and alarm at the prospect of a third lockdown.</p>
<p>French Prime Minister Jean Castex on Friday said the country would close its borders to non-European Union countries for all except essential travel, while stepping back from a widely anticipated third lockdown.</p>.<p>The travel ban will come into force from Sunday to try to limit the spread of new variant cases of coronavirus from abroad.</p>.<p>Castex, speaking after a meeting of the country's defence council, said he was not announcing a fresh national lockdown for now, adding that "the next few days will be decisive" in terms of any possible new restrictions.</p>.<p>President Emmanuel Macron added: "Lockdown is a legitimate question... (but) we all know the heavy impact that has on all fronts."</p>.<p>In an attempt to stem the number of new infections, Castex said big shopping centres -- excluding those selling food -- would be closed from Sunday and enforcement of the current 6pm curfew would be stepped up.</p>.<p><strong>Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/science-and-environment/astrazeneca-vaccine-quasi-ineffective-for-people-over-65-says-french-president-emmanuel-macron-945131.html" target="_blank">AstraZeneca vaccine 'quasi-ineffective' for people over 65, says French President Emmanuel Macron</a></strong></p>.<p>"More police and gendarmes will be mobilised to check non-compliance with the curfew, the organisation of clandestine parties and the illegal opening of restaurants."</p>.<p>He said only essential travel would be allowed to and from non-EU countries and all arrivals in France from inside the bloc except cross-border workers would be required to show a negative PCR test.</p>.<p>The requirement was previously imposed for air and sea travellers but would now also apply to those travelling by land too.</p>.<p>With schools and shops still open but restaurants and bars closed, France has fewer restrictions than some European neighbours.</p>.<p>The government, however, has been aware of growing fatigue among the public and alarm at the prospect of a third lockdown.</p>