By Princess Eugene Majuru
The ongoing UK travel ban imposed by 50 countries put a ban on arrivals from the UK due to the covid – 19 variant has affected more than 3000 lorry drivers who are still stuck at the Dover port.
South Africa and The Netherlands have also been targeted by travel restrictions after cases were reported there.
France closed the Eurotunnel and lorry drivers could not travel through. The British government has not done enough to ensure the drivers have toilets while stuck out by the roadsides. Drivers have been directed to an airfield where they have been parked since the start of the travel ban. The handling of the situation in Kent has been very bad with no communication being released by Kent council as to what is happening and what will be done. Restaurants and local communities and businesses stepped forward to feed the lorry drivers with hot meals. The stranded drivers were also reported to be very exhausted.
After two days of talks, transport secretary Grant Shapps announced that an agreement had been reached with Paris, though he gave no details of arrangements for lorry movements.
Travel to France will resume for EU nationals with negative Covid tests.
People will be allowed to travel into France from the UK from midnight on Tuesday provided they have tested negative for Covid-19 less than 72 hours beforehand.
Although France will lift its ban on accompanied freight from the UK, drivers will need to show proof of a negative Covid-19 test to travel.
Following talks on the UK travel ban French authorities have indicated that some journeys will now be allowed. Travel is expected to resume from Wednesday. Planes, boat and lorries will resume travel from Wednesday.
On Tuesday China announced it was closing its London Visa application centre in reaction to the worldwide bans. The World Health Organisation gave its cautious backing to the flight bans, saying they were “prudent” but argued for essential freight and passenger services to be maintained.
Current UK statistics indicate new covid -19 infections of 36 804 having been recorded and a further 600 deaths have been announced.
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