The Department for Transport (DfT) has written to CILT this afternoon (Friday 15th January) to update our members on two further developments at EU member states' ports. 

The French government has announced a further tightening of their restrictions for travellers arriving in the country, with effect from Monday 18th January. These new restrictions focus on a pre-departure PCR test requirement. However, we have been told that this does not apply to hauliers, and the existing arrangements requiring lateral flow tests within 72 hours will continue. 

Secondly, the Netherlands has also announced new requirements, to take effect from Tuesday 19th January. 

All hauliers travelling by ferry from the UK to Dutch ports will be required to show evidence of a negative lateral flow test obtained within 24 hours of departure – and operators will be expected to turn away any haulier arriving without this. 

The tests offered by the DfT's Information & Advice sites will be accepted. CILT members are being urged to make use of those or pre-departure testing at business premises. 

These requirements apply to all ‘transport workers’ by way of derogation from a general need for all those arriving to have both a negative PCR test within 72 hours and a negative lateral flow test within 4 hours of departure.   

The DfT has confirmed that the PCR testing requirement to the Netherlands does not apply to commercial drivers. Further detail is on the Dutch government website. 

This is an ever evolving situation and restrictions are subject to change. CILT will continue to update its members of the important changes to procedures and requirements of moving goods into and out of the European Union.