Lorry drivers to be tested for Covid-19 on arrival to UK

28 March 2021, 14:05 | Updated: 29 March 2021, 08:02

RHA chief: Infrastructure for haulier testing already in place

By Joe Cook

Lorry drivers arriving from abroad who stay in the UK for longer than 48 hours will no longer be exempt from Covid-19 testing, it has been confirmed.

On Sunday, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps confirmed the testing will come into force from 6 April, which aims to "ensure we keep track of any future coronavirus Variants of Concern".

Hauliers staying longer than two days will have to have a test within 48 of arriving and then every 72 hours, with fines similar to the £2,000 penalties for travellers who fail to test during home quarantine.

It comes just days after Boris Johnson warned tougher measures could lead to border chaos.

The move follows criticism of the government by the Home Affairs Committee chairwoman for not implementing a scheme for workers who regularly move across borders.

On Wednesday, committee chair Yvette Cooper furiously questioned the prime minister on why around 13,000 hauliers were coming across the Channel each week and not being tested, despite "two to three thousand new cases a day of the South Africa and Brazil variant in France".

Read more: Holidaymakers risk £5k fine as new Covid laws outlaw leaving UK without excuse

Read more: Culture Sec warns mass events could be off 'for many years' if they don't return in June

Tougher border measures with France could be introduced 'very soon', Boris Johnson says

Prime Minister Boris Johnson admitted he was considering tougher restrictions for France, telling the Liaison Committee that the government had to "look at the situation at the Channel" and "can't rule out tougher measures and we will put them in if necessary".

But, he warned that bringing in tighter restrictions, including testing hauliers, would cause "serious disruption" to cross-Channel trade.

"If it's necessary to bring in testing then we will do so, but I think you should understand the balance of doing that, the disruption to trade, and the risk that we are trying to address," he told MPs.

Read more: France lockdown: What are the rules and where is it in place?

Read more: Suez Canal: More tug boats sent to help as traffic jam grows to 320 ships

Many drivers were stuck over Christmas at Dover after France introduced the need for Covid tests without warning.
Many drivers were stuck over Christmas at Dover after France introduced the need for Covid tests without warning. Picture: PA

When France required the testing of hauliers crossing the Channel in December it led to thousands of lorries being stranded in Kent while the arrangements were put in place.

However, Rod McKenzie, the chief of the Road Haulage Association, told LBC's Swarbrick on Sunday that the PM's concerns were overblown and the move "really means very little" for the industry.

"Lorry drivers are already doing Covid tests and having those test done. They will be tested in exactly the same places as that they are currently being tested at."

Read more: PM suggests workers have had enough 'days off' as government pushes return to work

RHA chief: Infrastructure for haulier testing already in place

Pressed by LBC's Tom Swarbrick on what difference this would make to drivers and supply chains, Mr McKenzie said: "Not much is the answer."

"Initially [in December] there was chaos because we didn't have the infrastructure set up and lorry drivers were facing huge delays. Since then we have got our act together and there is a good system, which works well.

"When drivers test positive they have to have a a second test and if that positive then they have to go into isolation. That system works and in terms of your question, which is are there delays as a result of that? The delays are minimal frankly."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Gas storage levels are 'concerningly low' amid the cold weather

UK gas storage levels 'concerningly low' amid cold weather snap, with 'less than a week of demand left in store'

China beckons for Rachel Reeves as chancellor faces mounting fears over UK debt crisis

Surge in borrowing costs will drive up mortgage interest rates, economists warn as Reeves heads to China amid turmoil

A single house was seen left standing amid the huge destruction caused by the fires

Miracle of Malibu: Lone house pictured still standing as LA fires leave $50bn trail of destruction

Joe Biden speaks alongside Kamala Harris during a briefing on the response to the wildfires

Joe Biden tells Kamala Harris to 'fire away' in awkward moment during briefing on LA wildfires

California Wildfires Photo Gallery

Death toll from Los Angeles-area fires rises to 10

Former chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng and former Prime Minister Liz Truss at the 2022 Tory conference

Liz Truss legal threat to PM over claim she crashed economy was for ‘publicity,’ says her former Chancellor

Exclusive
Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York 'thrilled' to support Nick Ferrari's Kids Who Read Succeed campaign.

Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York 'thrilled' to support Nick Ferrari's Kids Who Read Succeed campaign

President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with Republican governors at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida

Trump to be sentenced in hush money case days before return to White House

Exclusive
Samantha Walker-Roberts was raped by nine men but only one (L) faced justice

'I was raped by nine men but only one faced justice': Grooming survivor 'failed by the system' calls for inquiry

Paris Hilton said she was devastated at the loss of her Malibu beach house

'The heartbreak is truly indescribable': Paris Hilton returns to charred remains of her Malibu beach house

Thousands gather in central London afternoon for a march in support of Palestine.

Palestine protesters hit out after police block London march from starting near synagogue

The sisters went missing on Thursday

Urgent hunt for twin sisters, 32, who disappeared during walk along river at night

A man has been detained on suspicion of lighting the latest Kenneth Fire

LA arson suspect arrested as investigation launched into Kenneth Fire

The Dawood family before the sub trip.

Millionaire businessman killed in Titan sub catastrophe left wife with less than £100k in Britain

Trump

Appeals court denies bid to block public release of Trump January 6 probe

APTOPIX California Wildfires

New LA-area fire prompts more evacuations with more than 10,000 structures lost