EU calls on member states to reopen transport links to UK

The EC called on member states to reopen critical trade and passenger transport links to the UK while discouraging non-essential travel, a step toward ending the chaos at Britain’s busiest port. The Brussels-based commission said that freight transport to and from the UK must be allowed to continue uninterrupted but that any unnecessary journeys should be avoided “until further notice.” “Flight and train bans should be discontinued given the need to ensure essential travel and avoid supply chain disruptions,” the EU’s executive arm said Tuesday. The British government is desperately trying to re-open trade routes to France after a day of cross-Channel political bartering failed to end the impasse. France shut down freight traffic from Dover in southeast England at midnight on Sunday because of fear over a faster-spreading mutant strain of Covid-19 that forced the UK government to impose a strict lockdown on London and surrounding areas. Spain and Portugal, meanwhile, are among more than 40 countries restricting flights and effectively isolating the UK. EU ambassadors are set to discuss the recommendation later on Tuesday, and the bloc’s governments have previously vowed to coordinate their response. <br/>