France is widely expected to lift the ban on British holidaymakers as early as this week, which would come as a welcome boost to the ski industry.

A French Council of Ministers meeting, led by President Emmanuel Macron, is taking place this morning and many in the travel industry believe an announcement of easing of travel restrictions could follow shortly after.

Kuoni CEO Derek Jones was among those urging skiers heading to France to ‘dig out their gear’ today following reports in the media that the ban on travel from the UK, imposed on 18 December, is about to be lifted.

While nothing has been confirmed, it is understood that Brits could be allowed back into France from this Saturday.

However, it is not yet known what – if any – testing requirements will be in place, if arrivals will have to be double or even triple vaccinated and whether there will be a quarantine period.

France eased its UK travel ban last week to allow business travellers entry if their trips can’t be postponed but they must produce a negative COVID test and isolate in France for 48 hours, after which they have to test again. Unvaccinated arrivals over the age of 11 must self-isolate for seven days.

Also, from 15 January everyone over the age of 17 who was vaccinated more than seven months previously must be boosted to access the ‘pass sanitaire’ (French health pass), which is needed to access ski lifts, bars, restaurants and other venues.