France has begun issuing citizenship to migrants who are involved in the fight against coronavirus. More than 700 have already been granted citizenship or are in the final stages of receiving it. It was repoted by ВВС.
The country's interior ministry invited residents helping with efforts against Covid-19 to apply for accelerated naturalisation.
The beneficiaries include healthcare professionals, cleaners and shop workers.
Seventy-four people have already been granted a French passport and another 693 are in the final stages. A total of 2,890 people have applied so far.
Normally a successful applicant must have been resident in France for five years with a stable income and demonstrated integration into French society.
But the government has said frontline Covid workers must only live in France for two years to be eligible for citizenship in recognition of their "great services rendered".
Meanwhile, France will open its borders for passengers from England on Wednesday after the ban introduced due to the new coronavirus strain.
It is noted that the agreement was reached between the UK and France toward the permission for EU citizens to return home with a negative test for Covid-19. The test should be held not later than 72 hours before the crossing of the border.
