Well, I've given up hope & will be heading for home tomorrow (from Andorra) - will be my longest ever drive single at about 900 miles Hopefully before the French close their borders !

The rate things are changing is truly shocking - Friday morning I was in a buzzing ski resort, then by lunchtime it was announced they were closing for the rest of the season. Even then I wasn't prepared - I was joking about shopping in the sales on Saturday - but the reality was everything shut - except the supermarket, every single other shop, bar & restaurant was completely closed for minimum 14 days & more likely at least 28.

By Sunday, every hotel in the resort was empty as was most private accommodation - even the local shop has shut as the owner lives with his elderly mother. I'm living in a ghost town.

I was planning to stay at least until the weekend then go to Bordeaux for a while, but the French lockdown means we've packed up & decided just to head to the UK.

Dogs went to the vets today for their working certificates - so I can't actually cross until 5pm (24h later), hopefully the Eurotunnel is still running....

I've packed all the bog roll & dried pasta we have in the cupboard as I hear there isn't any in the UK

Strange times indeed....

All EU borders are closing down by noon tomorrow. For 30 days!!!! That is CET.

I would suggest to make it to the border well before then.

A right pain as I need to decide between staying here with my wife and children or go to mainland Europe and help my parents.

I'll be through the French border before 6am - but then travelling the length of France & hitting the tunnel about 6pm.

Tunnel are currently saying they'll be running as the UK border isn't closing -but only time will tell.....

I'm far from the worst case as I can always turn round & head for Bordeaux & see the crisis out there, but would rather be in the UK (I think).

I'm now living in Portugal, family is meant to be coming over in 10 days for wife's 60th, probably not going to be able to do so. Son is getting worried about his wedding due on 24th April in UK, he's meant to be coming back from carribean in a weeks time, but is concerned mass meetings will be not allowed by then, we're concerned that we'll be stuck here and not allowed to fly on 15th.
And what for.
Keep calm and carry on IMO and stop the mass hysteria....

If you are happy to stay you may as well stay. They are closing at noon.

https://apple.news/AbRg3GpqEQbaq1ahG1hfpPw

I'm in Andorra - I don't mind it, but my wife really doesn't fancy it for potentially 30 or more days - looking out onto a closed piste is a little frustrating

As Andorra is not in the EU & outside schengen, I think I need to be over the border and into France before noon. After that, I should make it into the UK as countries seem to be allowing their own citizens to repatriate, so it will only be inbound to France/EU that's a problem.

I could be wrong though......

Unless they relax the dog quarantine thing, I can't enter the UK before 5pm anyway.

Bordeaux would be better than Andorra according to my wife, but I'm not so sure - at least it's a home & I won't be confined to a refugee camp in Sangatte

Think you will certainly have to do it in one stage as the situation with hotels doesn't seem to be clear. There is no current restriction on travel in France but there is very strong advice not to unless necessary.

AFAIK there is no problem with leaving France. The French government website is only advising travellers leaving France to be aware of any restrictions by the receiving countries and not imposing any on people leaving.

Another consideration is leaving Andorra for France. Currently the border is open. Not sure if they have a problem but I think your decision to leave right away is wise.

As you will have seen, the tunnel website is indicating normal service.

Have a safe trip.  John
2008 Stornoway Grey 3.6 Tdv8 Vogue
2005 TD6 Java Black Vogue - Written off!!
GAP iiD BT
2003 Discovery TD5 Auto, Nanocom Evolution - gone to a new home!
MasseyFerguson 152 - No electronics!! - Sold

Thanks John - the way I read things is I can still get into France before noon - I guess I'll find out in the morning.

All the restrictions in France seem to relate to French residents, so I'm hoping that as long as I refill with fuel before noon & stick to the autoroutes, I should be OK.

Just to have one final laugh, it's currently snowing, so the road down to Toulouse in the morning might be fun - just typical.....

Just be aware of the possibility of huge traffic jams at the borders. Between Austria and Germany today was apparently insane. ----------------
2012 - L322 Westminster
QRV @ LA2VSA / DA1AA

dingg1 wrote:

I'm now living in Portugal, family is meant to be coming over in 10 days for wife's 60th, probably not going to be able to do so. Son is getting worried about his wedding due on 24th April in UK, he's meant to be coming back from carribean in a weeks time, but is concerned mass meetings will be not allowed by then, we're concerned that we'll be stuck here and not allowed to fly on 15th.
And what for.
Keep calm and carry on IMO and stop the mass hysteria....

Alistair wrote:

I'll be through the French border before 6am - but then travelling the length of France & hitting the tunnel about 6pm.

Tunnel are currently saying they'll be running as the UK border isn't closing -but only time will tell.....

I'm far from the worst case as I can always turn round & head for Bordeaux & see the crisis out there, but would rather be in the UK (I think).

The French have stepped it up a notch

https://www.gouvernement.fr/info-coronavir...gleILstuS8

Translated

On March 16, 2020, the President of the Republic decided to take measures to minimize contact and travel. A containment system is in place throughout the territory from Tuesday, March 17 at 12:00 p.m., for a minimum of fifteen days. Travel is prohibited except in the following cases and only if you have a certificate for:

Move from home to work when telework is not possible;
Make essential purchases in authorized local shops;
Go to a health professional;
Travel to take care of your children or to help vulnerable people with the strict condition of respecting barrier gestures
Exercise only on an individual basis, around the home and without any gathering.

UK citizens exempt apparently

Where does it say that? And is it citizens or residents?

Bl4ckD0g wrote:

Move from home to work when telework is not possible;
Make essential purchases in authorized local shops;
Go to a health professional;
Travel to take care of your children or to help vulnerable people with the strict condition of respecting barrier gestures
Exercise only on an individual basis, around the home and without any gathering.

The certificate necessary to circulate will be available on this page this Tuesday March 17th.

Violations of these rules will be punished with a fine ranging from 38 to 135 euros.