Macron has good public health reasons for shutting the border, after all he's not just protecting France but the countries in Europe that drivers are travelling on to, and he's in good company with the circa 40 countries around the world that have suspended air travel with the UK. It's this type of decisive action that's needed to inhibit the spread of the virus, as has been proved by government action in New Zealand, Korea, Taiwan, etc. However, I'm sure Macron has a smile on his face that this action can be justified fully on a scientific basis ... perhaps one over Johnson that the UK can't argue with: Macron 1, Johnson 0?I don't think I'd blame the UK government for France closing the border but I would hold them responsible for an inadequate test, trace and isolate system that doesn't seem to know those individuals that have the new virus variant and halts it. (My understanding is that laboratories can only identify and trace the spread of the virus anonymously.) I also consider in irresponsible that they seem to have created a contingency plan for coping with traffic management at a blocked or restricted Channel border that careers for traffic flow but not the welfare of stranded drivers (sustenance, hygiene, rest, etc). As Sue says, thanks to the Sikh community for coming to the rescue, interesting that the Church of England, with theur HQ in Canterbury, close to Folkestone and Dover seem to have been quiet. Perhaps proves the value if immigration whether that's from our Commonwealth friends or European neighbours?
Michael Ixer ● 2147d