Coronavirus: Frustration grows among truck drivers stranded in the UK by COVID-19 blockade

Anger and frustration rose amongst truck drivers around the English port of Dover on Wednesday as a partial blockade by France designed to contain a highly infectious coronavirus variant has stranded thousands of truck drivers before Christmas.

Paris and London agreed late Tuesday that drivers carrying a negative test result could board ferries for Calais from Wednesday after much of the world shut its borders to Britain.

The Road Haulage Association, which estimated there were up to 10,000 trucks being held up in Kent, said the situation was chaotic as the testing system was not yet ready.

Police said there had been disturbances in Dover and Manston "involving individuals hoping to cross the Channel" and one arrest had been made.

Some of the extra traffic was a result of Christmas demand, but many were in the country to deliver goods to companies who are stockpiling before Britain finally leaves the EU on Dec. 31.

The mostly European drivers, many stranded with their trucks and without access to hot food or bathroom facilities, have grown increasingly irate, with many believing they are pawns in a political standoff between Britain and the EU as trade talks reach a climax.

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