Professional Transport Services

Hauliers - New COVID testing requirements

2 Apr 2021

From 6 April, all hauliers entering England from abroad (except those arriving from the Common Travel Area including Ireland) and staying longer than 2 days must take a coronavirus test.

 

You must take a test within two days of arrival and every 3 days thereafter. This is to reduce the risk of new COVID variants entering and spreading in the UK.

 

Free testing continues to be available at our Information and Advice sites, or from workplace and community testing centres and home testing kits.

 

Find out more on when and where to get tested.

France has removed its requirement for a negative test before entering from the UK. You will still require a negative test when travelling to some countries and are strongly encouraged to check the entry requirements of the countries you plan to travel to and get tested.

 

Legal requirement

It will also be a legal requirement from 6 April for hauliers to self-isolate in the cab during the duration of their time in England. You can leave the cab for essential purposes, including:

 

•            obtaining food

•            seeking medical and emergency assistance

•            using wash facilities including using communal showers

•            refuelling, and to ensure your vehicle and load are roadworthy

 

If you are a UK resident, you are able to isolate at home while not working.

 

Hauliers will be subject to regular monitoring on arrival in England and face fines of up to £2,000 if they are found to not be complying with the new testing requirements, and up to £1,000 if not complying with the cab self-isolation requirement.  

 

Full details of all new requirements:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-hgv-operators-and-drivers-crossing-an-international-border

The Common Travel Area (CTA) is a long-standing arrangement between the UK, the Crown Dependencies (Bailiwick of Jersey, Bailiwick of Guernsey and the Isle of Man) and Ireland that pre-dates both British and Irish membership of the EU and is not dependent on it.