British holidaymakers faced a scramble to get home on Friday after the government said it will reimpose a 14-day quarantine for travellers from France and the Netherlands, prompting Paris to quickly announce a "reciprocal measure".

The UK government said the change will kick in at 0400 (0300 GMT) on Saturday, likely sparking a mass exodus among the estimated 160,000 British holidaymakers currently in France, after a rise in coronavirus cases there.

"Data shows we need to remove France, the Netherlands, Monaco, Malta, Turks & Caicos & Aruba from our list of coronavirus Travel Corridors to keep infection rates DOWN," Transport Minister Grant Shapps wrote on Twitter.

"If you arrive in the UK after 0400 Saturday from these destinations, you will need to self-isolate for 14 days."

Britain had initially imposed a blanket quarantine on all visitors arriving in the country, but later carved out 'travel corridors'
Britain had initially imposed a blanket quarantine on all visitors arriving in the country, but later carved out 'travel corridors' AFP / JUSTIN TALLIS

French junior minister for European affairs Clement Beaune said it was "a British decision we regret and which will lead to a reciprocal measure".

France "hoped for a return to normal as soon as possible," Beaune said on Twitter.

Claudia, a 42-year-old German woman who lives in London but is currently on holiday in southwest France, called it an "absolute nightmare".

"Even if we wanted to we could not come back in time. Eurotunnel is sold out for any slot after midday," she told AFP.

France recorded 2,669 new coronavirus infections, its highest daily number since May
France recorded 2,669 new coronavirus infections, its highest daily number since May AFP / Valery HACHE

Holidaymaker Paul Trower said he would be coming home early.

"I woke up this morning at about 6.00am and I looked at my phone and everybody said you'll have to go into quarantine, so we looked and tried to book a ferry, cancel our holidays and come home to avoid it because my wife works and I look after my granddaughter," he told AFP in northern France.

Casinos and bowling alleys will be allowed to reopen in England after being shut during the lockdown
Casinos and bowling alleys will be allowed to reopen in England after being shut during the lockdown AFP / Paul ELLIS

Britain's badly-hit tourism sector also criticised the move.

"The UK needs a more sustainable long-term plan for the resumption of travel than quarantine roulette," said a spokesman for Heathrow Airport, the country's busiest hub.

On Thursday France recorded 2,669 new coronavirus infections, its highest daily number since May.

Britain had initially imposed a blanket quarantine on all visitors arriving in the country, but later carved out "travel corridors" which exempted travellers arriving from certain countries from having to self-isolate.

The loosening of lockdown rules will not apply to local hotspots that have seen more stringent measures applied to prevent community spread
The loosening of lockdown rules will not apply to local hotspots that have seen more stringent measures applied to prevent community spread AFP / Oli SCARFF

But it reintroduced the quarantine for travellers arriving from Spain in late July, catching airlines by surprise -- as well as thousands of Britons leaving for their holidays.

Britain then reimposed quarantine for travellers from Andorra, Belgium and the Bahamas last week.

Scientists at Britain's Joint Biosecurity Centre advised the latest measures be taken after France's cases per 100,000 population rose above 20.

"France is heading in the wrong direction... we have to act," Shapps told the BBC on Friday.

"The last thing we want to do is have people returning and bringing the infection with them," he said, adding that there were around 160,000 Brits due to return from France in the near future

With more than 41,000 deaths caused by the COVID-19 disease, Britain is the worst-hit country in Europe and Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been criticised over his handling of the crisis.

His government announced late Thursday that casinos and bowling alleys will be allowed to reopen in England after being shut during the lockdown, but that those not wearing masks face harsher fines.

Skating rinks can also reopen and pilot schemes of larger crowds at sporting events will be introduced following a two-week delay to the initial plans caused by a spike in cases.

"Two weeks ago the Office for National Statistics had expressed concerns about a slight increase in the number of people in England testing positive. The situation now appears to have levelled off," said Johnson.

Indoor theatres, music and performance venues will be able to reopen with socially distanced audiences.

"However, as I have always said, we will not hesitate to put on the brakes if required," warned the prime minister.

Along with the easing of lockdown measures, the government also announced that the fine for those who "repeatedly flout face covering rules" will be doubled to a maximum of ?3,200 ($4,200).

New fines will also be introduced for "people hosting raves or other unlawful gatherings of more than 30 people".

"We must remain focused and we cannot be complacent," Johnson said.

Although the Office for National Statistics said the "situation had levelled off", more than 1,000 people a day are still testing positive for the virus.

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