French prefect of the Hautes-Pyrenees, Brice Blondel has ordered the closure of the Bielsa-Aragnouet international tunnel for vehicles and pedestrians as part of the ongoing efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19).

According to the Bondel’s decree the tunnel closure will remain in place for an indefinite period, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.

Even though the period of the tunnel closure remains indefinite, it is estimated that it can last until the end of the confinement in Spain, which according to the French President Emmanuel Macron can last until May 11.

From now on, drivers must use alternative ways to Bielsa in other countries, therefore until now, the 8-km Somport tunnel in Aragon, remains the only way open for goods, after France decided to close other ports justifying that in this way there are fewer points to be monitored.

The president of the Huesca Freight Transport Association Fernando Callizo said that this is an added difficulty to the many that already exist.

“Bielsa does not have large freight traffic, but there will be companies that will have to travel to Viella or Somport. There are more kilometres, and the route will also have to be calculated based on the open service stations, where to eat, sleep or shower, and at a higher cost,” he pointed out.

Amid the Coronavirus pandemic, France has adopted the measure following the example set by other Schengen countries on the introduction of internal border checks in a bid to halt the spread of the virus.

Differently from other Europan countries, France has decided to keep its border controls in place for seven months, until October 31

As per now, France and Spain are already seeing signs of slowing infections, yet both countries have shown different opinions about the process of lifting restrictions.

While France’s President Emmanuel Macron said that the nationwide lockdown must continue to be in place, Spain announced that the government decided to slightly relax the lockdown that has been put in place last month.

Regarding France, Spain has decided to extend border controls with France until April 25.