Travelers from the UK are banned by many neighboring countries. Due to the mutation of the Coronavirus currently spreading widely in the United Kingdom, they are no longer allowed to leave the country by plane, boat and train. The government advises Dutch nationals stranded in the UK to find safe housing for the coming days.
On Sunday, the Council of Ministers announced a ban on flights from the United Kingdom to the Netherlands. The procedure is valid until January 1. Travelers from the UK can no longer reach our country by train and ferry either. Ireland, Belgium, France, Germany and Italy, among others, have taken similar measures.
For Dutch people unable to leave the UK due to the new alternative to the Coronavirus, the government is looking at options to help them. Especially for compassionate cases. This one in Letter to Parliament From the ministers Cora van Nieuwenhuizen (infrastructure), Hugo de Jonge (public health) and Ferd Grapperhaus (justice) who were sent to the House of Representatives Sunday evening.
Where possible, the Department of State provides (consular) assistance to stranded travelers.
It is not clear how many Dutch people are currently in the UK.
Travelers stranded in English ports
Passengers who wanted to travel to the Netherlands from the United Kingdom by ferry were stranded in English ports on Sunday evening. DFDS ferry services (between IJmuiden and Newcastle), Stena Line (between Hook of Holland and Harwich) and P&O Ferries (between Hull and Rotterdam) are closed. At the request of the ministry, the municipalities of Rotterdam and Vilsen decided not to allow travelers from the UK anymore.
Travelers via NUjij reported that they had already purchased tickets, but were then not allowed to use the ferry. In other cases, passengers were already on board, but the ferry was not allowed to leave. Then they had to return to the beach.
The Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management wishes to continue transporting essential goods. This is why trucks loaded with goods are allowed to cross the sea.
The Eurotunnel between the UK and France has been closed to all trains from the UK since Sunday evening. As a result, Eurostar trains cannot run to and from London. Belgium also keeps its borders closed to travelers from the United Kingdom for 24 hours.
It is still possible to travel by ferry to the UK, according to Stena Line.
Important Travel Update: Due to travel restrictions announced by the Dutch government, we are not permitted to allow any traveler to travel with us from Harwich to Hoek Van Holland until further notice. Shipping is not affected. It is still allowed for travelers to the UK.
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The British government will meet on Monday for crisis talks
In the coming days, many European Union member states will discuss the situation surrounding the coronavirus mutation and how to contain its spread.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his government hold crisis talks on Monday as other countries ban flights from the United Kingdom. His spokesman said transporting the goods was high on the agenda.
Because according to the British, the most contagious alternative holding the country in its grip, the British could not go abroad anymore. Many European countries do not currently accept flights and ferries from the UK.
According to a Johnson spokeswoman, they are working hard to develop “critical plans”.
