Elsewhere, the way in which the market for PCR testing for travel is regulated has come under fire again from the former boss of the UK’s competition watchdog.

European airlines and airports, meanwhile, are calling for governments to remove “knee-jerk” travel restrictions brought in to stop the spread of the Omicron variant of Covid-19.

Here are the headlines travel woke up to on Friday (17 December).

Le Grand Stampede: all routes to France sell out in hours after ban on UK travellers

Travellers have been rushing on to trains and flights before the new French ban on UK visitors comes into force at 11pm on Friday (17 December). British holidaymakers will no longer be able to visit France after the country imposed strict new rules due to surging cases of the Omicron variant in the UK. (The Daily Mail/Financial Times)

UK shuts down in bid to ‘save’ Christmas

Millions of people are staying at home in the run-up to Christmas with many offices, pubs and restaurants “deserted”, with health experts urging people to reduce their social contacts. The Queen is among those to cancel planned events after she decided not to host a family lunch for the extended royal family. (The i)

PCR travel tests need better policing, warns ex-watchdog boss 

Former Competition and Markets Authority chairman Andrew Tyrie says that poor service from providers of PCR travel tests is an “an issue of national significance”. He added that regulators were not doing enough to protect travellers from hundreds of new suppliers coming into the testing market. (The Guardian)

Airports and airlines call for halt to ‘knee-jerk’ travel restrictions

The aviation industry has urged governments across Europe to remove new Omicron-related travel restrictions, where community transmission of the variant is already present. Airports and airlines want governments to follow the guidance of the ECDC (European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control), rather than imposing their own travel restrictions. (The Telegraph)

Wales to introduce new restrictions with social distancing and closure of nightclubs 

Wales will introduce new social distancing restrictions and close nightclubs from 27 December in a bid to slow the spread of Omicron. The new restrictions will also affect businesses and services with extra measures required to protect customers and staff. (Sky News) 

Shapps’ department apologises after staff held party during lockdown

The Department for Transport has apologised after admitting that staff working for transport secretary Grant Shapps held a Christmas party last year during a time when strict Covid-19 restrictions were in place. A spokesperson said Shapps had “absolutely no idea” that this gathering of staff had taken place. (The Independent)