COVID-19 tests for foreign lorry drivers staying in England for more than two days
The new coronavirus rule, which will apply to hauliers from outside the UK and Ireland, will come into force on 6 April.
Sunday 28 March 2021 12:41, UK
Foreign lorry drivers arriving in England for more than two days will need to take COVID-19 tests in a bid to tackle future variants, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has announced.
The new coronavirus rule, which will apply to hauliers from outside the UK and Ireland, will come into force on 6 April.
They will need to take a COVID-19 test within 48 hours of arrival and then one every 72 hours thereafter.
Mr Shapps wrote on Twitter: "This is to ensure we keep track of any future coronavirus variants of concern."
However, the move attracted criticism from Labour's Yvette Cooper, who said the government had not acted fast enough.
"From April 6. Nearly 2 wks after I raised it with PM & he resisted," she wrote. "Nearly 2 months after concerns first raised on SA variant spread in France.
"Over 3 months since testing introduced for hauliers leaving UK.
"Govt still isn't learning Covid lessons. Act fast. Delays risk lives."
Lorry drivers coming into the UK had previously been exempt from testing requirements.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson had already suggested Britain may need to tighten restrictions on arrivals from
France, including truck drivers, with a third wave of infections in Europe.
A similar move by France in December caused chaos in Kent when it was introduced at short notice, but the
industry believes there is now enough rapid testing available to be able to cope and not cause problems.
The government has banned foreign travel until at least 17 May, although essential workers such as lorry drivers have been allowed to cross borders to supply the country's food stores and manufacturing plants.