GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES MORE COVID-19 TEST SITES FOR HAULIERS

The new strain of Covid-19 that originated in the UK and is more infectious than the strain of the virus that sparked the global pandemic means that it is currently challenging for Brits to travel overseas, including HGV drivers delivering goods.

To help HGV drivers who are due to head to France, the government recently announced that it would be setting up and operating ten new Covid-19 testing sites specifically for HGV drivers. These will be located around the country, with drivers being urged to get tested before making the journey to Kent or any other ports.

In addition, the government has also offered to provide assistance to any hauliers who want to set up testing centres at their own sites. Testing kits will be made available free of charge to HGV drivers as well, the Department for Transport announced.

The hope is that by offering testing elsewhere in the country, queues to board ferries will be minimised as drivers won’t need to be tested when they reach Kent.

Grant Shapps, transport secretary, commented: “If we are to keep traffic flowing in Kent, it is essential drivers are tested before they travel down to the area and that they have a Kent Access Permit before heading to the border.”

In December, France closed its borders to those coming from the UK due to the emergence of the new, more contagious strain of the virus. As The Guardian reported, just before Christmas France announced it would allow drivers that had received a negative Covid-19 test within 72 hours to travel to the continent.

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