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Covid-19 and international travel for HGV drivers
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Travel into Ireland in course of performing transport duties: International transport workers, including drivers of heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), light goods vehicles (LGVs) and coach drivers entering Ireland in the course of their duties do not need to undergo a pre-departure COVID-19 test and they are exempt from quarantine, including hotel quarantine requirements, on entry to Ireland. This is in line with the EU’s Green Lanes recommendations, aimed at helping to ensure that our international supply chains continue to function.
Travel to other EU countries: While a small number of other EU countries required HGV drivers/LGV/coach drivers to carry with them proof of a negative COVID-19 test result before entering these countries, these requirements have now, for the most part, been removed . The dedicated COVID-19 (antigen) testing sites that were established here in Ireland in early January for HGV/LGV/coach drivers intending to travel to France and to certain other EU countries therefore closed on 21 April.
Travel to France: HGV, LGV or coach drivers travelling from Ireland to France are not required to have proof of a negative Covid-19 test result to enter France. This applies to drivers travelling on direct maritime routes from Ireland to France, as well as to drivers travelling via the UK “landbridge” route to enter France. There is no requirement to provide a “declaration of honour” on entering France.
Travel to Germany: HGV drivers travelling from Ireland are (since 21 March) exempt from the requirement to have a negative Covid test result before entering Germany. This is because both Ireland and the UK (including Northern Ireland) are no longer classified by the German government as a virus variant area. The Moselle area in France is also no longer considered a virus-variant area by Germany, meaning drivers no longer require a test if they are passing through the Moselle area to reach Germany.
Germany has a list of “high incidence” areas, which currently includes France and the Netherlands and a number of other countries, but drivers passing through these countries in the previous 14 days to reach Germany only need to fill out a form before entering Germany – they do not require proof of a negative test result as long as their stay in Germany is less than 72 hours. The full list of Germany’s various risk designation areas can be found here. .
The German entry registration portal is available https://www.einreiseanmeldung.de/ If that is not available, the alternate paper form is available here. If using the paper form it must be completed before entering Germany handed over to German authorities upon request.
Travel to the Netherlands via the UK :
Drivers travelling to the Netherlands via the UK are no longer required to have proof of a negative COVID-19 test result to enter the Netherlands.
Travel to the UK: The UK has requirements in place (since 6 April) for hauliers travelling to England from abroad. This means that hauliers arriving in England from abroad will need to take a COVID-19 test in England if they are staying there for more than 2 days. Drivers will need to take their first test within the first 2 days, then further tests every 3 days. This applies to drivers and crews of HGVs and drivers of vans and other light goods vehicles. It applies to both UK-based and non-UK hauliers.
However, not all drivers will need to take a test in England.
A driver will not need to take a test if he or she will be in England for 2 days or less.
A driver will not need to take a test if he or she arrives in England from Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man - known as the Common Travel Area (CTA). A driver must have only been in the CTA or the UK in the 10 days before arrival. If a driver has been outside the CTA in the 10 days before he she arrives in England, they must take the tests in England if staying there for more than 2 days.
There is more information available on GOV.UK. The UK is advising that any drivers requiring tests undertake those tests in England, for example at the haulier advice sites at various locations around the country.
The UK has also introduced new requirements for hauliers. All hauliers arriving in the country are now required to self-isolate in their cabs for the duration of their time there, leaving only for specific reasons such as to buy food, use a toilet or to undertake limited exercise, or get a COVID-19 test, among other reasons. Further information is available on the GOV.UK website.
A map of all of the haulage advice sites in Britain can be found here.
Haulier advice sites are located at motorway service stations and truck stops. Most haulier advice sites in Britain are open between 6am and 10pm, 7 days a week. A number of the sites offer free COVID testing.
Belgium
HGV drivers travelling to Belgium do not require proof of a negative COVID-19 test result however they must complete a Sworn Declaration in respect of the nature of their essential travel. The English version of the Sworn Declaration to be completed by those travelling for essential reasons to/from Belgium is available here. A hard copy paper form can be downloaded or an online version of the form can be filled out (from which a PDF can be downloaded as proof of completion).
Switzerland
HGV drivers travelling to Switzerland do not require proof of a negative COVID-19 test result. However, from 8 February 2021, drivers coming from high risk countries are required to provide contact details when entering Switzerland. The tool for online PLF registration can be found at: https://swissplf.admin.ch/home
