Britain sets up 20 COVID-19 testing centres for transporters

Britain is setting up more than 20 COVID-19 testing centres for hauliers heading to France to overcome disruptions at the border.

2024-07-07 15:25:00

Britain sets up 20 COVID-19 testing centres for transporters

London, United Kingdom: Britain is setting up more than 20 COVID-19 testing centres for hauliers heading to France to overcome disruptions at the border.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps published on Saturday that ten testing centres had been created across the country too, with a further ten opening on today. More may be added in the coming days.

The court also said that companies that can set up their own testing sites on their bases would be provided with kits free of charge.

The UK's move happens after thousands of hauliers were struck in Kent in the last week of December after France closed its border over concerns about a new, variant of COVID-19 found in the UK.

France opened its border within days but claimed that any haulier entering the country via the UK show a contrary coronavirus test taken within the previous 72 hours.

Many new testing sites are to be preserved by the military who will use lateral flow designs that provide results within the hour.

Hauliers who carried out the test in some of the country's sites will have their entrance to ports in Kent fast-tracked.

The UK is being treated differently by all countries across the globe due to rapidly spreading of new coronavirus variant which is being referred to as "70% more infectious".

Due to this new variant, several countries have halted flights between the UK. However, some countries have still permitted to travel with stringent quarantine regulations.

The government of the UK continue to put measures in place to safeguard its citizens. Britain still remains the worse hit country in the region due to coronavirus pandemic.

It recently reopened after another lockdown that lasted for a few days; however, things were soon closed down after the identification of the newer variant of the virus.

New challenges continue to emerge for Britain as the country continue its immunisation.

Monika Walker is a senior journalist specializing in regional and international politics, offering in-depth analysis on governance, diplomacy, and key global developments. With a degree in International Journalism, she is dedicated to amplifying underrepresented voices through factual reporting. She also covers world news across every genre, providing readers with balanced and timely insights that connect the Caribbean to global conversations.