Manston Lorry Park now lies empty after the UK military, French Firefighters and Polish medics helped carry out the coronavirus tests required to allow truckers into France.
UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps confirmed yesterday morning that the lorry park was empty and that as many as 15,526 coronavirus tests had been conducted.
Just 36 of the tests were positive, which amounts to only 0.23% of the total. Those who did test positive are self isolating in hotel accomodation provided by the UK Government.
Update on Kent lorry situation: 15,526 #Coronavirus tests now carried out. Just 36 positive results, which are being verified (0.23%).
Manston now empty and lorries should no longer head there please. pic.twitter.com/RPBC5Rsd2C
— Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP (@grantshapps) December 26, 2020
Although Manston is now empty, Operation Brock remains in place and there are still a few lorry drivers waiting to be tested on the M20. Late last night provisions were still being delivered to truckers whose vehicles remained idle on the motorway.
Help in form of food, water, fuel and medicine organized by amazing #PolesinUK not only for Poles, but also drivers from Lithuania,Ukraine,Russia,Spain,Greece and Brazil who have been standing for several days on #M20 unable to leave UK #SolidarnośćPL#Polonia4Neighbours https://t.co/RkdqybrukM
— MB (@MB2BORNOT2B) December 26, 2020
The latest advice from the Port of Dover for drivers looking to travel to France is to join the freight traffic on the M20.
#freight For all Dover bound freight – Access to Port of Dover is open and receiving freight traffic via Op Brock on M20. Once you have cleared testing travel to Dover for your Ferry Operator to carry you over to France on the next available ferry.
— Port of Dover Travel (@PoD_travelnews) December 26, 2020
Unfortunately adverse weather conditions have delayed ferry services between Dover and Calais this morning. Hopefully the winds will die down soon so that operations can return to normal.
Good morning, its Kacper here to keep you updated today. Our ships are currently not able to berth in Dover due to the adverse weather conditions. We will keep you updated with the latest information
— P&O Ferries Freight (@POFerriesFR8) December 27, 2020
Photo credit: UK Department for Transport