UK deals 'devastating blow' to travel industry with French quarantine

Efforts to restart Europe's mammoth travel and tourism sector have suffered another major setback, after the UK government added the world's most visited country to its quarantine list. Travellers arriving from France will have to quarantine for 14 days starting on Saturday, according to the latest guidance from the UK Department of Transport, which was updated late on Thursday. The decision was made after France reported 2,669 new coronavirus infections on Thursday. The UK government will also add the Netherlands, Monaco and Malta to its list. Travel stocks tumbled on the news, which could disappoint millions of hopeful vacationers. Shares in EasyJet and tour operator TUI plunged nearly 8%. British Airways parent IAG fell about 6% and Ryanair lost more than 4%. France is the second most popular destination for Britons after Spain, which was already on the British government's quarantine list. "It's another devastating blow to the travel industry already reeling from the worst crisis in its history," Airlines UK said. The industry body said that "broad-brush, weekly 'stop and go' changes" to travel corridors are disruptive to airlines and passengers alike, and it urged the government to adopt a more targeted approach to quarantines. It added that all international arrivals should be tested, with only those who test positive entering quarantine. The International Air Transport Association echoed calls for a more "pragmatic approach" to quarantine.<br/>