[ad_1]
The UK faced a transport crisis as Christmas week dawned, after France and other European countries closed their borders in an attempt to prevent the spread of a virulent new strain of Covid-19.
Businesses feared that drivers would be stranded in Britain and that goods would be blocked from entering or exiting, causing food shortages and could force them to close.
After Boris Johnson imposed strict level 4 coronavirus restrictions on London and south-east England on Saturday, UK neighbors responded by banning British travelers from crossing their borders for fear that the new variant of the virus would spread. Matt Hancock, the health secretary, admitted on Sunday that he was “out of control” in the UK.
France’s blockade will last at least 48 hours and has forced the Dover ferry port and the Eurotunnel to shut down traffic leaving Britain. Germany, Ireland, Austria, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium also have restrictions; Saudi Arabia reportedly announced its own crackdown late on Sunday.
He left Westminster fighting Sunday night. A spokesperson for Number 10 said: “The Prime Minister will chair a Cobra meeting tomorrow to discuss the situation regarding international travel, in particular the steady flow of cargo to and from the UK.
“More meetings will be held tonight and tomorrow morning to ensure strong plans are in place.”
Grant Shapps, the transportation secretary, urged the public and shippers to avoid driving to Kent ports, where he said ministers expected a “significant disruption.”
The Executive Director of the Food and Beverage Federation, Ian Wright, has warned of a possible food shortage.
He said: “Tonight’s suspension of accompanied freight traffic from the UK to France has the potential to cause serious disruption to UK Christmas fresh food supplies and UK food and drink exports.
“Continental truckers will not want to travel here if they have a real fear of being abandoned. The government must urgently persuade the French government to exempt the freight accompanied by its ban. ”
Retailers also demanded a swift resolution of the growing chaos. “This is a key supply route for fresh produce at this time of year – canal crossings see 10,000 trucks passing daily during peak periods, such as before Christmas,” said Andrew Opie, director of food and sustainability at British Retail. Consortium.
“We urge the UK government and the EU to find a pragmatic solution to this as soon as possible, to avoid disruption for consumers.”
Immediate shortages should be avoided because stores have stocked up on goods before Christmas, he said.
“However, any prolonged closure of the French border would be a problem as the UK enters the final weeks before the end of the transition on December 31,” he added.
“Buyers shouldn’t panic,” said Alex Veitch, Managing Director of Logistics UK. “Retailers will do their best to ensure there is stock in the system, including fresh produce, and it is important for us to remember that incoming traffic still has access to the UK.
“We are in close contact with the UK government to ensure that supplies of fresh produce are available during Christmas and New Years.”
Logistics UK said it was urgently seeking more information from its members to ensure drivers are safe.
Level 4 could last for months, Hancock suggests as he ties in with the vaccine launch
The shadow Labor Party Minister for the Cabinet Office, MP Rachel Reeves, said the closure of trade routes to continental Europe was “deeply concerning.”
He added: “The country needs to hear credible plans and the assurance that essential supplies will be protected, including our NHS, supermarkets and manufacturers with crucial supply chains.
“We cannot afford the same slowness that this government has shown during this pandemic. The prime minister must urgently explain what he is doing to control the situation.”
