235,000 haulier tests completed and new rules for entering France

Added: 01 March 2021

The government is reminding HGV drivers to get tested for COVID-19 early in their journey at one of 37 UK haulier advice sites providing tests.

The French government has recently changed the testing arrangements facing hauliers looking to travel from the UK into the country. These changes mean that French authorities will now accept testing certificates from Ireland for hauliers using UK ports, and that hauliers who are in the UK for less than 48 hours won’t need a test.

However, the UK government is reminding any hauliers who do need a test to get one early in their journey at one of the haulier advice sites around the country, ensuring there is no build-up in congestion in Kent or other ports. ?

Since the Christmas period, NHS Test and Trace staff and Ministry of Defence (MOD) personnel have provided rapid lateral flow device testing around the clock to drivers within their cabs at sites across Kent. By mid-February, 235,000 hauliers had been tested across the UK.

Transport Minister Rachel Maclean said:??

“It’s really encouraging?to see?traffic continuing to run smoothly through?Kent, and I’d like to thank the haulage industry, the armed forces, motorway service stations and the Kent Resilience?Forum?for working tirelessly with us to ensure?the majority of?hauliers?cross the border without any issues.”?

Hauliers are also reminded that the Kent Access Permit is only valid for the 24-hour period stated on the permit – they must enter Kent and cross the border in this period or risk delays as they apply for a new permit.