21/12/2020 (Agence Europe) – The International Road Transport Union (IRU) on Monday 21 December called on the French government to exempt transport trucks from border crossing restrictions with the UK, following the announcement of the circulation of a new strain of Covid-19 across the Channel (see other news). “Essential goods transport, especially for food and medicine, is at risk on both sides of the English Channel”, the IRU said. The organisation believes that the French decision will only aggravate a situation already complicated by Brexit. In recent days, some trucks have been waiting up to 24 hours on either side of the Channel, the organisation said, pleading for the well-being of drivers. The European Road Haulers Association (UETR) has also called on national authorities and European institutions to provide drivers stranded abroad with the means to reunite with their families. (AC)