Freight News, Road, Sea

Cork Airport to handle Covid tests for France-bound truckers

[ February 8, 2021   //   Chris ]

A Covid testing site has been set up at Cork Airport for trucks travelling from the port of Cork to France and Continental Europe.

Drivers must make sure that they obtain a test within 72 hours of embarking on France-bound ferries. They must pre-book their test in advance.

Bookings must be made with RocDoc on their website www.rocdochealthcheck.ie

Since January 28, France has required all HGV or light goods drivers to present proof of a negative COVID-19 antigen or PCR test result before embarking, adding that the requirement will remain in place for at least the next month.

Drivers must also complete a “declaration of honour” confirming they have no Covid-19 symptoms nor have they been a close contact of a person who has tested positive for Covid-19 in the previous 14 days. Proof of this declaration must also be shown to the ferry company before departure.

The port’s chief commercial officer, Conor Mowlds, said: “We welcome the decision by the Department of Transport to utilise the dedicated COVID-19 (antigen) testing sites at Cork Airport for any HGV drivers intending to travel from the Port of Cork to French Ports. This comes on the back of the announcement by Brittany Ferries earlier this week, to operate a twice weekly freight only service from Cork to Roscoff. We are delighted to work with Cork Airport on this initiative.”

Brittany Ferries is to add a new sailing between Cork and Roscoff in northern France as traders seek more capacity on direct routes to Continental Europe to avoid the UK’s land bridge post Brexit.

Tags: Cork