Freight chaos as Europe closes borders to UK

European countries closes borders to UK on Sunday night over the escalating Covid crisis

Update: The French Government has said that “in the next few hours” it will establish a “protocol to ensure that movement from the UK can resume”.

Freight chaos as Europe closes borders to UK

European countries closed their borders to the UK on Sunday night over the escalating Covid crisis, creating huge backlogs of freight deliveries.

France banned all travel for 48 hours whether by road, air, sea or rail.

Germany, Italy and the Netherlands ordered a suspension of flights from Britain, while Ireland said it would impose restrictions on flights and ferries.

Eurotunnel tweeted: “UK-France border closes 23:00 GMT tonight. Last shuttle UK-FR is 21:34 GMT, please check in on time.”

Belgium said it would close its borders to flights and trains – including the Eurostar service from London.

Normally about 10,000 lorries a day pass through Dover alone and the haulage industry is expressing alarm over supermarket supplies.

Hauliers coming to Britain from France will still be allowed in but there are fears that lorry drivers will not travel to avoid being ‘marooned’ in the UK.

The chaos caused by the Covid restrictions come at the beginning of a crucial week for the Brexit talks.

The UK-France Euro tunnel border will close for at least 48 hours from 11pm tonight due to the outbreak of the new coronavirus strain in Britain.

Shortly after, the Port of Dover announced its ferry terminal would be closed “to all accompanied traffic leaving the UK until further notice due to border restrictions in France”.

It comes after French transport minister Jean-Baptiste Djebbari confirmed the country was suspending all traffic from the UK at midnight for at least 48 hours.

Freight chaos as Europe closes borders to UK

It comes after the spread of a mutant strain of Covid-19 prompted several European countries to halt UK flights.

Following the announcement by the French Government that it will not accept persons arriving from the UK for at least 48 hours from midnight CET, access to the Eurotunnel Folkestone terminal will be suspended for passenger and Freight traffic from 22:00 GMT, Sunday 20 December.

Customers with bookings after this time are advised NOT to travel to the terminal as they will not be able to cross to France.

For any passengers heading to the UK in the next few days: it is essential that you check the rules for travel and accommodation in the UK before travelling. Please note, the border is currently closed from the UK into France for at least 48 hours.

Freight chaos as Europe closes borders to UK

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