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France has lifted Britain’s entry ban: cargo and passengers can re-cross the border. But the jam doesn’t go away that fast. There were shoves and scuffles at the scene.
After France eased a two-day blockade, Britain’s cargo and passengers have returned to the country. Reporters from the AP news agency saw a ferry arriving at the French port of Calais. Trains with cargo and car passengers can cross the border under the English Channel.
Anyone arriving in France from Great Britain must undergo a coronavirus test, in which the variant identified in Great Britain can be found. The test should not be longer than 72 hours. This stems from the agreement reached by the French, British and European authorities after 48 hours of negotiations.
The jam can last for days
According to the British government, it will take “a few days” before the huge truck jam around the port of Dover clears. There is now “a lot to do” and the problem will not be solved “immediately,” Housing Minister Robert Jenrick told Sky News on Wednesday.
The port of Dover had reopened on Wednesday night after Paris and London agreed to ease strict travel and traffic restrictions. France had temporarily closed the borders for the traffic of goods due to the new variant of the coronavirus that had appeared in Great Britain. This had fueled fears of supply bottlenecks in Britain, especially of fresh produce.
According to Jenrick’s information, about 4,000 trucks were stranded in the port area last night, either on the freeway to Dover or at an adjacent unused airport. Among other things, truck drivers should now be able to test there.
Fight between truckers and policemen
British Transport Minister Grant Shapps said there was enough evidence on the way. But at the same time he warned: “Don’t come to Dover, wait and see.” It could take two or three days for the traffic jam to clear.
Meanwhile, there were also shoving and fighting between the waiting truckers and the police. Frustrated drivers had whistled at police, some trying to pass officers, British media reported.
Many had to spend the third night in a row in their vehicles and report low supply while they are trapped in their cabins and the nearest stores are many miles away. Some of the trucks have loaded perishable products such as fish or shellfish.
Disagreement about the type of evidence
Until recently, London and Paris had apparently fought over the question of what tests should be done. The French government has requested laboratory tests because they are considered more reliable, but you have to wait 24 to 48 hours to get their results. That seemed impractical for the British government.
Instead, truck drivers should now be allowed to do a quick test, provided they are sure they recognize the mutated virus.
Up to 4,000 trucks wait to continue their journey
France closed the border at night from Sunday to Monday. Meanwhile, more than 50 countries have halted entry from Britain after a new mutation of the faster-spreading corona virus was discovered here. Yesterday, UK authorities reported nearly 37,000 new infections, the highest since the pandemic began.
With information from Thomas Spickhofen and Imke Köhler, ARD-Studio London
