New covid test sites opened for truckers on the Island and Ireland

Negative Covid tests have been required from drivers entering France from the UK for more than a month, and the requirement has been extended to drivers travelling from Ireland as well.

Initially just two sites were available on the Island of Ireland, but there are now six.

In Northern Ireland, the Department of Health has worked with partners, including Queens University and the Ulster University, to make LFD testing available in Northern Ireland at university campuses with immediate effect.

These sites are located in Queens University and Ulster University:

Queens University (University Rd, Belfast BT7 1NN, United Kingdom)

Testing is available Sunday to Thursday from 11am to 8pm.

Please use the contractor drop down menu when asked if you are a member of staff, student or contractor. Then select Truck Driver and finally enter your staff number or payroll number.

Ulster University (York St, Belfast BT15 1ED, United Kingdom)

Belfast Campus and Coleraine Campus – Mondays and Thursdays from 9am to 5pm.
Jordanstown Campus and Magee Campus – Tuesdays and Fridays from 9am to 5pm.

The test sample will be processed within 30 minutes, and the driver should receive their results within 60 minutes.

Commercial vehicle drivers travelling to France can book a test online before attending any of the test sites.

COVID-testing sites in the Republic of Ireland

A new COVID-19 testing site has also opened in Holmestown, Wexford, Ireland for hauliers travelling by ferry from Ireland to France.

This means there are now three testing sites for hauliers, Light Goods Vehicle drivers and coach drivers travelling from Dublin and Rosslare ports direct to France.

The antigen tests are free and can be taken at the following locations:

• Holmestown Civic Amenity Facility, Holmestown Waste Management facility, accessible from the N25 in Holmestown, Wexford
• Gorey (Circle K) Motorway Service Area, Wexford, accessible from the M11
• Dublin Airport’s Blue Long Stay Car Park, signposted from M1 Junction 2 (Airport) and M50 Junction 4 (Ballymun)

Our rapid antigen testing facility at Holmestown in Co. Wexford for hauliers bound for France is now open @Dept_Transport https://t.co/dtQiNEyoIf pic.twitter.com/eRqyCGT0At

— RocDoc Covid Check (@RocDocCovid) February 1, 2021

Documents drivers need to have

All commercial vehicle drivers (Heavy Goods Vehicle drivers, Lights Goods Vehicle drivers or Coach drivers) travelling from Ireland to France must have evidence of a negative COVID-19 antigen or PCR test to carry out their journey.

Proof of a negative test result is required to board ferries and to enter France.

Drivers are encouraged to pre-book their test at https://rocdochealthcheck.ie/get-tested.html as early as possible and to bring proof of their ferry booking to these sites when attending for a COVID-19 test, along with a form of photo identification, ideally their digital tachograph card.

Drivers undertaking a COVID-19 antigen test at one of the sites on the day of their ferry departure should pre-book their test and allow plenty of time. They also have the option to get their test earlier, as long as it is within 72 hours before boarding the ferry to France, and they can provide proof of their ferry booking (if attending one of the dedicated testing sites).

Testing is available for hauliers at other RocDoc facilities around the country however drivers will need to access these other facilities by car. 

🚛Free COVID-19 antigen tests for HGV drivers at the RocDoc testing facilities at Cork or Shannon Airport.

✅Drivers must pre-book a test at these locations.
🚗Drive thru facilities only, must arrive in a car

Book a test at: https://t.co/47FhWIgmAt pic.twitter.com/vtJueHV522

— Department of Transport (@Dept_Transport) January 28, 2021

Drivers may also get tested at the many private facilities available around the country, as long as these tests meet the French requirements, but these costs will not be covered by the State – visit https://covid-19.sante.gouv.fr/tests for further information.

Drivers will also need to carry with them a signed “declaration of honour” form for the French authorities, confirming that he/she has no COVID-19 symptoms and that he/she has not been a close contact of a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 in the previous 14 days.

A dedicated form for HGV drivers travelling from Ireland to France is now available in English here.

The completed “declaration of honour” form must also be shown to the ferry operator before boarding and to French authorities if requested upon arrival.