Countries cut UK off as Johnson holds crisis meeting on new coronavirus variant
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson held an emergency meeting with ministers on Monday, after fears about a new coronavirus variant discovered in the country prompted a chaotic border shutdown and saw British travelers shut out from dozens of countries in Europe and around the world.
Alarm over the new variant, which was first identified in England, led a number of nations to impose restrictions on travel from the UK.
France announced a temporary ban on all travel and accompanied freight on Sunday night, a potential disaster for UK exporters who rely on trade with Europe. The border closure exacerbated pre-Christmas delays, with trucks backed up from the port of Dover in the southeast of England, a key crossing point for hauliers.
Salad leaves and citrus fruits could be missing from supermarket shelves as a result of restrictions on UK-France trade, Sainsbury’s has warned.
The supermarket giant said France’s ban on freight hauliers from the UK could affect food supplies but assured customers that crucial Christmas dinner supplies are available and already in the country.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the ban on accompanied freight is “slightly surprising”.
Thousands of lorries that were meant to travel across the English Channel on Monday have been told to stay away from Kent ports.
HGVs turning up at Dover on Monday morning were greeted with signs saying “French borders closed”, and were being turned away.
UK Holds Crisis Talks as France Closes Border on Virus Fears aawsat.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from aawsat.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Boris blusters his way through pointless press conference without giving a single answer about when truckers will be allowed into France: Port chaos could continue until Xmas after Macron insists on Covid tests or no travel
Port of Dover in Kent was dramatically closed to all freight vehicles leaving the UK for the next 48 hours
Hauliers coming to UK will still be allowed but there are fears drivers won t travel to avoid being marooned
Countries including France, Germany, Italy, Belgium and Poland have announced restrictions on UK travel
Comes after emergence of mutant strain of coronavirus in England which spreads quicker than predecessor
BBC News
By Daniel Thomas
image copyrightGetty Images
Retailers have played down fears of food shortages after France shut its borders to UK hauliers for 48 hours due to the UK s new coronavirus variant.
But they warned of serious disruption without a resolution, with Tesco and Sainsbury s saying some fresh produce such as lettuce could run short.
The prime minister s spokesman said the UK had a diverse food supply chain.
The risk is European hauliers will avoid the UK for fear of getting stranded in the country. Poses difficulties
The head of the Food and Drink Federation (FDF), Ian Wright, said the border closure had the potential to cause serious disruption to UK Christmas fresh food supplies - and exports of UK food and drink .