Shapps says hauliers to be exempt from French travel rules as trucks queue up near Dover

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said on Thursday that hauliers would be exempt from new Covid-19 controls being introduced by France on travellers arriving from Britain.

“To confirm I have liaised with my French counterpart … and hauliers will remain exempt,” he said on Twitter.

Meanwhile, Reuters reported that several miles of trucks were queued up on the main road towards Port of Dover on Thursday, adding that it was not immediately clear what was causing the congestion.

The trucks were stacked up on the A20 towards Dover.

Port of Dover, however, said freight continues to move through the port ensuring goods reach their destinations, keeping shelves stacked for Christmas.

To confirm I have liaised with my French counterpart @Djebbari_JB and hauliers will remain exempt.https://t.co/7kKsusKlwW

— Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP (@grantshapps) December 16, 2021

But it added that France’s new travel curbs on passengers from Britain would further dampen already significantly reduced tourist numbers.

“Due to the existing barrier of Covid-19, tourism volumes through this gateway are already significantly reduced and these recent changes are another dampener on the pre-Christmas getaway period,” a spokesperson for Dover said.

“We urge customers to contact their chosen ferry operator for the latest information and to follow GOV.UK travel advice,” the spokesperson said.

“HGV drivers are exempt from these changes and freight continues to move through the port in order to ensure goods reach their destinations, keeping shelves stacked for Christmas.”