What Truck Drivers are experiencing in the UK and France

Recently in Dover, England,  thousands of stranded truck drivers at the British port of Dover vented their anger Wednesday as they struggled to access coronavirus tests, after France agreed to ease a blockade despite fears over a new Covid-19 variant. There is a growing fear in France and the UK over food and medicine shortages. The UK and France struck a deal late Tuesday evening, but this deal only allows people that have proof of a negative Covid-19 test taken in the past 72 hours. This later prompted a panic and rush to test drives that expected to draw in the British military and NHS.  Senior, Maya Salzman stated, “ With the panic to get tested many citizens are left feeling extremely uneasy.” 

Only two trucks had arrived at France's Calais port late on Wednesday morning. As this was going on several thousand were still lined up in rows on a motorway and in an airport in southeast England. This backlog of vehicles will take days to clear.  Senior, Allison Brown stated that, “ Tensions even started to appear between some drivers and officials.” This crisis at the border is happening right at the busiest time of the year, the holidays. These truck drivers already experience a panic during this time of the year but not being able to get to their destinations is putting a toll on many. Senior, Lizzie Kennedy stated that,”Many truck drivers are stating that they see no food, no water and no tests coming.” This fact is quite scary. Many are expecting that some drivers will be stuck on the other side for the holidays, thus not being able to get back to their beloved families. 

The testing authorities that will allow the hauliers to leave Britain is being hastily organized but little evidence of it was prominent on the ground on Wednesday, because police advising drivers to get tested either via the NHS or at the airport. Almost 5,000 trucks are still waiting to cross the border which is absolutely absurd.