Dover is closed to outbound traffic

I see that the French are preparing to open the border, but those entering France from the U.K. must show that they have a negative covid result.

This should be obtained from the rapid test available, except that it isn’t and our test system which has never worked properly will be shown up for what it is.

As a lot of the trucks will actually be ‘foreign plated’ vehicles I wonder if their drivers will also be subject to a Covid test?
Or just the British drivers?

I love panic buying. I enjoy the aesthetic effect of my stacked tins of soups. But please, if you panic buy flour, dog kibble, or pasta, keep it in a container safe from the mouse.

I wanted to leave a little pile of edibles beside the hole in the floor and my sons would not allow this as the mouse's relations would invade my spare bedroom.

As far as I could gather from the news it is all drivers. The virus cannot distinguish between nationalities. Why would it just be British drivers?

Oopsadaisy1

As a lot of the trucks will actually be ‘foreign plated’ vehicles I wonder if their drivers will also be subject to a Covid test?
Or just the British drivers?

Yes everyone must be tested according to the television.

Why are the drivers being tested with the throat/nose with results 24/48 test now, so they will be ready to go when the boarders open.

The lateral flow tests are inaccurate so wouldn’t be surprised if some countries don’t accept them. Can give completely false sense of security.

What a shambles

Not that good WW

What is totally disgusting is that many of those drivers caught up in this situation are going into their third night of sleeping in those vehicle cabs. Despite that, there seem to be no portaloos having been setup along the M20 on which many are parked up and no distribution of products to assist in personal hygiene etc.

This government along with Kent County county Council seem not to care one iota regarding the welfare of those drivers which is a disgrace that all in this country should loudly condemn and those responsible hounded from office.

Surely no group of workers in modern times have been knowingly treated as such and all with the world watching on. What sort of a society have we become when this is allowed to happen

According to reports on mumsnet, a group of Sikhs have organised blankets, hot drinks etc to be given to the drivers, plus a local church group are passing out flasks to volunteers to be filled with soup and taken to the captive drivers. Admirable, but shameful that it is necessary. Don't know what happens with loos and showers though.

I saw that on twitter last night, GillT57

According to this thread there are now some 2,000 lorries parked up

twitter.com/Frank_Leppard/status/1341366270327984128

is that a factual 2000 or a Johnson/Schapps 2000?

This mess is Macrons mess, he has closed the French borders.

It is being reported on Twitter that the EU has ordered the borders to be reopened, not sure how true that is.

Stil, it’s a good practice for a no deal brexit isn’t it....

I looked at the overhead photo from, I think it was Sky, earlier this morning and by enlarging it and doing a bit of counting I reckoned that there were well over 700 lorries there. The photos on the twitter thread are from later today and it claims that lorries are constantly arriving. 2,000 doesn't look unbelievable.

However, apparently the EU Commission has recommended that the blockade is lifted for freight haulage and for people trying to get home.

www.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-britain-eu/eu-commission-recommends-lifting-blanket-uk-travel-bans-idUKKBN28W1I8

GrannyGravy13

This mess is Macrons mess, he has closed the French borders.

It is being reported on Twitter that the EU has ordered the borders to be reopened, not sure how true that is.

Just keep stoking the hate, GG13

I’m sure M. Macron has no ulterior motives.

No hate , just pointing out that it was Macron that closed the border, which in turn has left hundreds of French and other EU hauliers stranded in the UK.

It was not the UK border force or the UK government, fact!!

That was to MaizieD

GrannyGravy13

This mess is Macrons mess, he has closed the French borders.

It is being reported on Twitter that the EU has ordered the borders to be reopened, not sure how true that is.

Those drivers, a percentage from European countries, are on British soil. It is, therefore, the obligation of this government and nation to care for the welfare of those drivers while they are trapped in a situation that makes it impossible for them to leave Britain or escape the queue to return to their homes.

Priti Patel the Home Secretary was interviewed on the major news channels at lunchtime but only spoke on the testing of those drivers and not once mentioning their welfare.

That I believe says it all about her and the attitude of the government which she is a senior member of.

Disgusting.

Isn't Macron doing what all the Brexiteers wanted us to do (and said we couldn't while we were in the EU) exercising control over his country's borders?

Apparently when hundreds of truck drivers were stuck in snow in Germany they were provided with hot food and drinks as well as the necessary facilities etc

As you say retiredwell what sort of country have we become.

GrannyGravy13

This mess is Macrons mess, he has closed the French borders.

It is being reported on Twitter that the EU has ordered the borders to be reopened, not sure how true that is.

He is exercising French sovereignty. You know, the concept that you don’t apparently have as a member of the EU.

Ironic isn’t it?

This will make the brexiters annoyed

Guy Verhofstadt
@guyverhofstadt

We forgot what borders look like.
Some thought they would remain open with or without the EU.
They will now start to understand what leaving the EU really means...