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Britain Says Thousands of Lorries Cross Channel After Virus Testing Stepped
Up

Reuters

   DOVER, ENGLAND - More than 4,500 lorries, among a huge backlog of
   trucks stranded for days in the British port of Dover, crossed the
   Channel on Friday after extra troops were deployed to step up
   coronavirus testing, a minister said.

   Ferry services between Dover and the French port of Calais resumed on
   Thursday, ending a blockade France had imposed for several days
   following the discovery of a new coronavirus variant in England.

   British Transport Minister Grant Shapps said on Twitter on Friday that
   more than 10,000 coronavirus tests had been carried out on lorry
   drivers and only 24 of them had tested positive.

   Britain deployed additional troops to help clear the queues of lorries
   waiting for COVID-19 tests before being allowed to board cross-channel
   ferries. British media said 800 extra soldiers were sent to support 300
   initially deployed.

   Soldiers checked vehicles and drivers' documents at the entrance to the
   port. In one case, French officials, who were in Dover to help clear
   the backlog, were seen administering a nasal swab to a driver.

   The French and British governments agreed to end the blockade on
   Tuesday but the British authorities had said it would take days to
   clear the long lines of trucks.