UK government opens further Covid-19 testing locations for hauliers going to France

The government is taking further steps to get hauliers tested before they travel to Kent or any other port going to France, in an effort to reduce disruption to drivers as they transport goods across the Channel.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced the creation of twenty new testing locations across the UK.

The Department for Health and Social Care will support the testing initiative by providing testing kits, and is urging businesses to take advantage of the initiative to avoid further delays in Kent or at any other public sites.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “If we are to keep traffic flowing in Kent, it is essential drivers are tested before they travel down to the area and that they have a Kent Access Permit before heading to the border.”

Military personnel will be at the test sites to provide support and administer lateral flow devices to speed up testing.

James Heappey, Minister for the Armed Forces said: “The Armed Forces are once again demonstrating their flexibility, redeploying to new testing sites to ensure quicker access and minimal disruption on the approaches to Dover and the Eurotunnel.

Aside from Covid-19 testing, staff at the sites will also provide guidance on the new border processes, after the UK left the European Union on December 31st 2020.