France accused of over-reacting over Covid variant after 1,500 tests on truckers in Dover and zero positive results Nicholas Cecil and Sean Morrison Lorry drivers and police remain in Dover UP NEXT France was today accused of over-reacting to the new strain of Covid-19 in Britain after 1,500 tests on truckers came back with no positive results. The French authorities slapped restrictions on hauliers crossing the Channel following the emergence of the VUi202012/01 coronavirus mutation which is believed to spread faster than other strains. The UK and France agreed to a testing regime to allow trucks to start flowing again on the Dover-Calais link.