The discovery of a new ultra-contagious mutation of SARS-CoV2 in the UK has triggered a new wave of restrictions in the country and has led to more than than 50 nations slapping tough travel restrictions on the UK. Lorry drivers and officials have shared their personal experiences about the sudden crisis at the border.
On 20 December, France shut its UK border for 48 hours after the discovery of a new coronavirus strain. As a result, roughly 3,000 lorries suddenly found themselves stranded in Kent, unable to leave the Port of Dover or Euro tunnel to France. On Wednesday, Paris eased its ban allowing some trucks to leave the temporary lorry park at Manston airfield.
Thousands of Trucks Get Stuck Near Dover
As he was heading towards the tunnel he started getting messages saying: “Have you heard the news? It’s all shut.” So Elphick decided to “abort the mission” and parked up at a truck stop in Ashford. The authorities made plans for hauliers to drop their trailers in the Port of Dover because freight was still allowed through, despite the drivers being banned.
The empty entrance lanes are pictured at the Port of Dover, as EU countries impose a travel ban from the UK following the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Dover, Britain
The entire town of Dover was immediately gridlocked as people made a mad dash to the port, the driver explains, adding that the authorities were not letting the drivers in because they haven’t had COVID tests and “they were all being stubborn and just blocking the port.”
Lorries queue on the A20 road to enter the Port of Dover to board ferries to Europe, in Dover, Britain
Drivers Frustrated and Angry
This situation was normal, according to Elphick, who says the pandemic has not previously affected freight drivers and they kept through Europe despite coronavirus restrictions.
“In my opinion, and not only my opinion, but all of the drivers and other people – this has nothing to do with the new flavour of COVID. It has only to do with politics,” argues Marcin Jankowiak, planning director of DWP and Sons, whose drivers were stuck in queues around Dover during the first day.
Vehicles queue on the road approaching the entrance of the Port of Dover, after EU countries imposed a travel ban from the UK following the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Dover, Britain
Because of the uncertainty and confusion, hauliers were exhausted and angry, says Elphick, adding that drivers from eastern Europe are especially irritated as a lot of them did not understand what was happening or, perhaps, had difficulties with translation.
“They’re trying to turn them away from the port saying ‘you need to go and get COVID tests’ and [the drivers] are just waving their arms in an ‘I don’t understand’ kind of thing,” he adds, bemoaning the fact that the authorities failed to provide people with exact details on where to go and what to do.
Vehicles queue on the road approaching the entrance of the Port of Dover, after EU countries imposed a travel ban from the UK following the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak
The problems do not end there, remarks Jankowiak. He explains that truck drivers are literally blocked in Dover, which means that even if they’ve been tested, they still can’t get into the port. “That means that the test results will be out in 72 hours,” Jankowiak highlights, “so if they are not shipped across within 72 hours, that test will be not valid anymore.”
‘Locals Were Nice to Us’
Fortunately, Elphick and his fellow drivers heard about the queues beforehand and managed to go to the truck stop where they have everything they needed – toilets, showers, and food. He also carries a lot of food with him, plenty of clothes for two weeks, fridge-freezer, microwave, and water.
Despite the chaos, locals were nice to stranded hauliers, says Elphick, recalling that the Sikh community provided food to some truck drivers. He singles out a local woman who spotted him chatting with a fellow driver and then brought them some hot food.
However, the locals’ patience isn’t limitless: “You can’t stop the lorries too long,” he notes. “I don’t think the locals will be too happy about it.”
Lorries are parked on the M20 motorway towards Eurotunnel and the Port of Dover, as EU countries impose a travel ban from the UK following the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak
It’s Unclear Whether the Crisis Will End Soon
Elphick believes that he will be home for Christmas: “Once we get into the port which is a quarter of a mile, if that – once we’re in there, I’ll be in and out in half an hour and get on the way to Birmingham no hold-ups at all.”
For his part, Jankowiak fears that the situation will remain complicated for quite a while. He notes that the real number of trucks stranded around the port is far from the one being transmitted by the media.
The situation clearly indicates that the government’s response to the transport crisis has been abysmal, says Steve Hedley, senior assistant general secretary of the UK National Union of Rail, Maritime, and Transport Workers.
NHS Test and Trace staff members test the passengers at the Port of Dover, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak
“If they had consulted with the RMT or other road freight unions this entirely predictable jam could have been avoided,” he insists. “Likewise the panic to travel which reached crisis point at [central London railway station] St Pancras last Friday could have easily been averted by consulting the trade union.”
The French government has eased travel restrictions allowing French citizens, British nationals living in France, and truck drivers to travel if they test negative less than 72 hours before departure.
Sourse: sputniknews.com
