PARIS, Dec 17 (CGTN) - France is banning travel from the UK without "compelling reasons" from December 18.

Leisure trips or non-urgent business will not be considered valid reasons for travel into France from Saturday.

The sudden move was announced on Thursday morning by the government spokesman Gabriel Attal. He said the aim of the new restrictions was to "tighten the net" to slow down the influx of new infections of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 coming in from the UK.

French residents and French citizens will be allowed to come in from Britain, but they must then isolate for a week in a place of their choice.

That seven-day quarantine can be reduced to 48 hours if they test negative after arrival.

There are other exemptions on the list of those people who are allowed in from the UK, including hauliers, airport and seaport workers, healthcare staff, customs and border force agents, and students on a recognized academic course.

Everyone coming into France from the UK must also provide proof of a negative coronavirus test that is no older than 24 hours.

The new restrictions apply to everyone, including people who are fully vaccinated and those who have had a booster shot.