An additional 800 soldiers have been deployed to Kent to assist the thousands of truck drivers waiting to cross into France.
Thousands of trucks are still waiting to cross after that France They closed their borders to me United kingdom On Sunday after a new rapidly spreading strain of Covid-19 It is determined in the country.
In total, about 1,100 soldiers were sent to aid in the severe disruption at the borders of the English Channel Corona Virus Test and distribute food and water as part of the process.
Transportation Minister Grant Shaps confirmed that more than 4,500 trucks managed to cross the canal.
But despite efforts to end the backlog, thousands of carriers are spending Christmas Day in their taxis.
A truck driver told Sky News that he had been waiting at the airport for two days and was hoping to return after testing negative for the Coronavirus.
He said the train serving food was “empty” without water and the airport was “full.”
Efforts are made to clear the backlog
Another driver, Michael, has been waiting in the UK for five days. He said the situation was “not good.”
Truck drivers are now required to show evidence of a negative coronavirus test within the past 72 hours before they can cross the English Channel.
Tests are taking place at Manston Airport, which is a closed section of the M20 and the Dover.
About 700 trucks have been allowed to leave since the border reopened on Wednesday
Mr Shaps said that more than 10,000 coronavirus tests have been performed, of which only 24 have tested positive.
He tweeted, “Thank you very much for the tireless efforts of our forces, the police, civilian testers, council planners, port and ferry workers to give up their Christmas to bring people home.”
Traffic flowed smoothly through Dover on Friday, with French firefighters enlisted to help with the testing process.
A Dover Port spokesman said the ferry services were operating throughout Christmas Eve and would continue on Christmas Day to help ease congestion.
Andreas Michaelis Germany The ambassador to the United Kingdom, said that some German carriers have managed to go home for Christmas, but others are still in Kent.
Thousands of drivers spend Christmas Day in their taxis
He wrote on Twitter: “Some German truck drivers we have been in contact with on their way home or already at home. But others are unfortunately still stuck.”
“I sincerely hope things start for them soon. It’s a difficult birthday. Our thoughts are with them.”
Food deliveries to drivers stuck in Operation Brock on the M20 were organized by the Southeastern railway and Network Rail and delivered by the Salvation Army, with seven trains carrying food departing from London in the past two days.
HM Coastguard said its Dover-area teams have so far provided 3,000 hot meals, 600 pizzas, 2,985 packed lunches and 17 pallets of water for those waiting.
France closed its borders to the United Kingdom on Sunday after a new rapidly spreading strain of COVID-19 was identified in the country
The government said catering vans would provide hot food and drinks to the transporters stranded in Manston, with Kent County Council and volunteer groups providing refreshments to those stuck on the M20.
There are over 250 toilets in Manston, with an additional 32 portable toilets added to the facilities on the M20.
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