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France Advises Citizens Not to Travel to Catalonia

VOA News

   France's prime minister Friday strongly recommended French citizens not
   travel to the Spanish region of Catalonia after a surge in COVID-19
   cases there in recent weeks.

   Prime Minister Jean Castex made the comments to reporters at Charles de
   Gaulle Airport just north of Paris. He said the French government is in
   discussion with Spanish and Catalan authorities, to limit the number of
   travelers coming into France from Spain as well. He said the border
   between the two countries would remain open for now.

   Nearly 8,000 cases were diagnosed in Catalonia in the 14 days leading
   up to Thursday -- almost half of the 16,410 detected throughout Spain
   during that time -- despite guidelines for residents of regional
   capital Barcelona to stay at home.

   Compulsory testing

   Castex also told reporters France would begin compulsory testing of
   people arriving at French airports and seaports from 16 countries
   outside the European Union where the infection rate is high. Those who
   test positive will be required to enter quarantine.

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