France to set up random border checks for skiers

French Prime Minister Jean Castex announced Wednesday that "random border checks" will be put in place over the holiday season targeting French skiers trying to get to foreign resorts, particularly Switzerland.

He said the controls will include virus tests and a seven-day quarantine will be imposed on returning French skiers.

On Tuesday, President Emmanuel Macron had indicated that the government was considering taking "restrictive and dissuasive measures" to prevent the French from going abroad to ski at Christmas.

Asked about the country's vaccination strategy, Castex said France is putting in place a "progressive" virus vaccination plan, with more than enough doses to cover the entire population of 67 million.

Speaking on BFM TV Wednesday, he said that the government had "pre-ordered enough to vaccinate 100 million people, via the European system."

It was the European Commission that negotiated with pharmaceutical companies on behalf of European Union member states.

Authorizations to use the vaccines will come "rather toward the end of December," Castex said.

He will outline the specifics on Thursday alongside Health Minister Olivier Veran.

(Image credit: Jean Castex/ Instagram)