France mandates virus test and opens border for UK trucks

The UK and French governments have reached a deal to reopen the border between the two countries to hauliers and some passengers from today – if they test negative for coronavirus.

As part of the agreement, the military and NHS Test and Trace teams are to establish multiple testing sites in Kent, Sky News reports.

Quick turnaround tests will be deployed in an effort to get moving the more than 2,800 lorries that have been left trapped in Kent, but the queues built up around motorways could still take days to clear.

The backlog has built over the last 48 hours after France shut its border to travellers from the UK on Sunday night, following fears over the spread of a new coronavirus variant.

Rail, air and sea services will now resume on Wednesday morning, with all those travelling from the UK into France required to show proof of a negative coronavirus test taken within the previous 72 hours.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps revealed on Tuesday evening that the French government had agreed to accept lateral flow tests, which can return results in around 30 minutes, in order to get freight traffic moving again.

"We've made good progress today with the French government and what we've agreed is the border can open with tests for everybody leaving the country," Shapps said, following talks with French officials throughout the day.-Photo: Sky News