France will close its border to all non-EU countries from Sunday except for "essential travel"

Commuters will be exempt but anyone else looking to enter will require a negative PCR coronavirus test, already a requirement for lorry drivers.

Last time France closed the border just before Christmas chaos ensued on Kent's roads and it took days to get stranded truckers home.

The exemptions this time suggest that is unlikely to happen again.

The announcement was made by French Prime Minister Jean Castex late tonight.

He said travel would be barred "unless there is a compelling reason".

Meanwhile Czech Republic took similar steps while Portugal, where cases are rising, has shut its land border with Spain.

Earlier this week Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced mandatory hotel quarantine for arrivals from 'red list' countries, which included Portugal as well as some South American and African nations.

More as we get it.

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