PORT bosses are urging lorry drivers to avoid travelling to Newhaven, as ferries set to depart the site before Christmas are fully booked.
Passengers due to travel on the ferry from Newhaven Port were forced to cancel their sailings on Sunday after France imposed a 48-hour ban on travel from the UK.
This morning, sea services between the two nations resumed, with French citizens and British nationals living in France among those now able to travel – if they have a recent negative test.
However, Newhaven Ferry Port, DFDS and the Sussex Resilience Forum are asking hauliers to avoid travelling to the port as services are full.
A joint statement read: “The port, ferry company and local partners are working with the government to try and arrange Covid testing for the drivers already booked on sailings before Christmas.
“Lorry drivers are asked to avoid travelling to Newhaven Port as any ferries leaving the port before Christmas are fully booked.
“Drivers with bookings, including those at the port, will be kept updated as this work goes on.”
Soldiers have also joined NHS staff in Kent to test the thousands of stranded lorry drivers.
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A DFDS spokesman said: “Further to the latest update from the FR government, freight drivers and passengers are now able to travel from the UK arriving into France from midnight tonight 22nd December.
“Freight drivers and passengers are required to produce a negative COVID-19 test result upon departure in UK and upon arrival in France that has been conducted within 72 hours of travel.
“Without a negative test freight drivers and passengers will be denied boarding and should not come to the port. Please note only EU citizens returning home and those travelling for essential reasons are able to travel.
“If you already have a booking from UK to France from midnight tonight 22nd December onwards, please ensure you have a negative test result before setting off. Please do not come to the ports of Dover or Newhaven if you do not have a booking and a negative Covid test.”
