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Resumption of accompanied freight Dover-Calais companies is now beginning to clear the massive backlog of lorries constructed up following border closure |
London and Paris have reached settlement to re-open the UK-French border to permit accompanied freight and a few passenger companies to renew between the 2 nations.
The breakthrough follows chaos at one of many UK’s most important freight arteries on the Port of Dover in South East England, after France’s choice to shut its UK border for 48 hours to accompanied freight site visitors, following the revelation by British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, of a extra virulent pressure of COVID-19.
Photos have emerged of greater than 1,000 lorries parked on the runway of Manston Airport in Kent, whereas charitable organisations such because the British Salvation Military and the Sikh group have been delivering scorching meals to drivers, a lot of whom are involved about reaching dwelling for Christmas.
Such was the plight of the drivers, even Ramsgate Soccer Membership in Kent has additionally delivered pizzas to truckers stranded by the French blockade.
Following the protocol, rail, air and sea companies are resuming this morning (23 December) with all folks travelling from the UK into France required to indicate proof of a damaging coronavirus check taken inside the earlier 72 hours.
The protocol agreed with the French Authorities can be reviewed on 31 December, however may run till 6 January. All lorry drivers, no matter nationality, would require a lateral circulate check.
This will detect the brand new pressure of COVID-19 and supply ends in round half-hour, somewhat than the 24 hours required after a PCR check. The French authorities can even perform pattern testing on incoming freight to the UK.
The UK authorities is continuous to strongly urge hauliers to not journey to Kent till additional discover, whereas a mass testing programme for HGV drivers begins to alleviate congestion at ports.
Operation Stack – a scheme to relive congestion close to Dover – stays in pressure alongside the M20 motorway whereas lorry drivers in Kent are persevering with to be directed to the Manston holding facility.
The settlement notes admittance into France will solely be granted to these travelling for pressing causes, together with hauliers, French residents and British residents with French residency.
Earlier this week, British freight affiliation, Logistics UK, urged consumers to not panic purchase as experiences circulated of grocery store cabinets going naked in some cases as shoppers factored in a trilogy of COVID-19, Brexit and much tighter restrictions surrounding Christmas gatherings.
“I’m happy we have now made this essential progress with our French counterparts,” mentioned UK Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps. “This protocol will see the French border reopen to these travelling for pressing causes, supplied they’ve a licensed damaging COVID-19 check.
“We proceed to induce hauliers to not journey to Kent till additional discover as we work to alleviate congestion at ports.”
The Transport Secretary additionally introduced the short-term rest of drivers’ hours for hauliers to assist drivers move by means of UK borders safely, together with by way of Kent, through the coming weeks.
