Covid test requirements for inbound hauliers

A new bespoke Covid testing regime has commenced for international arrivals who will be exempt for quarantine for work purposes, including hauliers arriving into England.

As of 6 April, unless hauliers are travelling from other parts of the Common Travel Area (CTA – which comprises the UK, Ireland, Isle of Man and the Channel Islands) and have been within the CTA for 10 days or more, they are required to take a lateral flow test if they are in the country for longer than two days, before the end of Day 2.

Hauliers remaining in the country will then need to take further rests every three days – typically, on Days 2, 5 and 8.

Drivers are able to get tested at one of the government information and advice sites, or at workplace or community testing centres.

New legal requirements to limit contact between such drivers and the community have also been introduced, which require those arriving to self-isolate in their cabs for the duration of their time in England, leaving only for specific reasons such as buying food, using toilet facilities or limited exercise. Fines may be issued to those failing to comply.

Full details on testing requirements can be found on the gov.uk website, here, and there is more information on self-isolation requirements here.