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Skirmishes have broken out in Dover when stranded truck drivers clashed with police.
Several thousand trucks have been stuck near the port of Kent after France prevented them from crossing the English Channel due to the new variant of the coronavirus.
They lined up on the highway and at nearby Manston Airfield after the French government took action Sunday night.
Tensions boiled over Wednesday morning
A group of drivers began booing and whistling at police shortly after 8 a.m. this morning, before a small number began to push officers in an apparent attempt to break their ranks.
The governments of the UK and France have reached an agreement to reopen the border from Wednesday if drivers test negative for COVID.
NHS military and test and trace teams will use rapid response testing on drivers, who come from all over Europe and are desperate to get home.
However, it is not clear how long it will take to clear the backlog, but Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has said “it will take a few days.”
Rail, air and sea services to France will resume today after a deal was agreed on Tuesday night.
Anyone traveling must show proof of a negative coronavirus test performed within the previous 72 hours.
Entry will only be granted to those traveling for urgent reasons, including carriers, French citizens and British citizens residing in France.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the French government has agreed to accept lateral flow tests, which can return results in about 30 minutes, to get traffic moving again.
Despite the deal, Shapps has urged other carriers to stay away from Kent until further announcements are made.
France denied entry to truck drivers over concerns that the variant identified in the UK could spread to the country.
The new variant spreads more easily and is believed to be up to 70% more transmissible.
