Special dispensation recommended for seafarers by EU
Transport staff and mariners could be exempt from new travel restrictions implemented because of new-variant Covid 19.
The European Commission has recommended that mariners and other keyworkers be exempt from the current travel restrictions imposed on the UK, reports Nautilus International today.
Although talks are in progress to lift the 48-hour ban on travel from Dover to Calais, many still face a Christmas away from home, with flights and crossings to many countries subject to travel restrictions.
The Commission recommends that ‘transport staff and seafarers should be exempted from testing and quarantine requirements when they are travelling across a border to and from a vessel, vehicle, or aircraft, although they should respect the general protection and distancing measures that are applied locally’.
France’s and other countries’ lightning-fast ban on travel from the UK has caused severe disruption to the smooth flow of British exports to the continent and to the travel plans of thousands. It is hoped that the current talks will bear fruit and that bans will be lifted subject to testing of travelers.
