Around 250 Irish hauliers who would ordinarily be using the landbridge to the continent are now caught up in confusion and disruption in the southeast of England after France closed its border to freight from the UK yesterday.
The Irish Government also introduced a 48-hour ban on flights from Britain yesterday, which came into effect from midnight. Under the ban freight transport across the Irish Sea is allowed, but the only passengers allowed are essential supply chain workers.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs has said exporters, importers and hauliers have been encouraged for some time to examine direct route options to the continent and said that there will be multiple options available tomorrow for them to utilise.