Superinfectious virus: London and Paris agree to restart passenger and freight traffic



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French authorities closed the traffic of goods from the United Kingdom on Monday from 0 am due to the rapid spread of a new version of the coronavirus that appeared in England. The French ban applied to vehicles used by people (drivers, travel staff, passengers) to cross France.

The crossing of passenger trains without passengers and passengers (containers and trucks without a tractor) has been authorized by the French authorities.

As a precedent to the French restriction, the British government has announced that studies show that the infectivity of a new variant of coronavirus spreading across the UK, especially in London and south-east England, could be up to 70% higher. than previously identified variants.

The French deficit caused a serious disruption of traffic on the English side to the Dover ferry port and the Folkestone rail terminal: on the M20 motorway towards the southeast coast and in a temporary car park at one of the nearby disused airports, according to Kent County Council on Tuesday. by dusk, 2,852 trucks were congested.

However, the UK Department for Transport announced early Wednesday that an agreement had been reached between the British and French governments to restart freight traffic and, in urgent cases, “some” passenger traffic.

According to this Air, rail and sea transport will resume from Britain to France from Wednesday morning, but only those who test negative for a coronavirus of no more than 72 hours will be allowed to enter France.

According to a statement from the British Ministry, this applies to French and British citizens living in France, as well as, regardless of their nationality, to truck drivers who must pass a rapid coronavirus test in 30 minutes.

Drivers will receive the result in an SMS message and, in the event of a negative result, they will be able to cross into France within 72 hours of the screening date, presenting this message. The drivers are being tested by experts from the British Public Health Service (NHS) and the British Army.

In announcing the deal, British Transport Secretary Grant Shapps stressed that the British government will continue to urge shipping companies to avoid crossing into south-east England until port congestion lifts.

In a statement issued shortly before the announcement of the agreement, the British Federation of Retailers (BRC) emphasized that if the congested trucks would not be able to start again within 24 hours and therefore they will not be able to pick up the merchandise.

Food consignments to be imported from the mainland, after Christmas there may be “problems” in the supply of fresh food in the UK.

Dover and Calais, on the opposite side, are the world’s two busiest international seaports; During the peak Christmas loading period, an average of 10,000 trucks pass between the two docks a day. News of the French order to shut down supermarkets in Britain has started a shopping spree in the past two days. The UK’s largest retail chain, Tesco, has introduced temporary sales restrictions on various products, including eggs, rice, toiletries and other hygiene items, to ensure a continuous supply. According to the measure, everyone can only buy three units of the products in question at a time.

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France and Belgium have made it possible for their citizens and foreigners living on their territory to return home from Britain from Wednesday. In doing so, Paris and Brussels are easing the severe restrictions imposed on Britain the other day due to the coronavirus epidemic, as recommended by the European Commission.

To date, dozens of states have announced that they will suspend the reception of flights from Great Britain, but states close to the island nation will not allow them to arrive by other means of transport to the European continent. This is because the UK government announced the identification of a new coronavirus variant last week. The European Commission called on EU member states to ease the ban on Tuesday.

Starting Wednesday, France will allow its citizens and residents of Great Britain to enter the UK on the condition that they are tested for coronavirus up to 72 hours before departure, with negative results. Respectively, France admits all people from Great Britain residing on the continent under the same conditions. The test could be anyone that also detects a new coronavirus variant discovered in the UK. As noted above, France is also re-allowing freight traffic with the crew in the transport vehicle, diplomatic sources in Brussels said. In the last two days, only freight trains without passengers and passengers have been allowed to cross.

Belgium introduced a similar measure on Tuesday evening, but its communication only concerns Belgian citizens and residents.

The Eurostar railway company announced Tuesday evening that

its trains will travel again from Great Britain to the mainland, and the trains will be available to passengers “under certain conditions”.

Cover Image Source: Shutterstock



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