Amid the coronavirus pandemic, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark issued new COVID-19 related measures for businesses including freight, imposed by the British government.
According to the information sheet, exemption for non-UK resident freight drivers is removed, so those who have travelled from or through Denmark in the last 14 days, can no longer enter UK.
Passenger planes and ships travelling directly from Denmark, and accompanied freight, will no longer be able to land or dock at English ports.
At the same time, anyone from the UK who arrives in England after 4am 6 November and after travelling from or through Denmark in the last 14 days, including HGV drivers after previous exemptions were removed – must self-isolate along with their household.
In light of the situation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark published the following Q&A, in an effort to better inform about the new measures.
Goods on vessels:
What are the new measures regarding goods on vessels?
Vessels with unaccompanied cargo can come in. The Danish crew will not disembark, and they can sail away once goods are unloaded. UK will be requesting they strictly respect the “keep people apart” guidance, i.e. no mixing with shore-side staff. Marine pilots are allowed to go on vessels to guide them into UK ports.
For vessels with accompanied cargo, i.e. hauliers, the following rules apply: UK national/resident hauliers will be allowed to come in, but must proceed straight to self-isolation, if they were in Denmark, or passed through it, in the last 14 days. All other hauliers who have been in Denmark, or passed through it, in the last 14 days, will not be allowed to enter.
Crew change:
Internationally, seafarers are considered key personnel. How can crew change be facilitated during the current circumstances?
This type of change taking place in the UK would be very rare, but currently this will not be allowed for crew who have been in Denmark in the previous 14 days as there are no exempted category of person.
Crew on offshore vessels and rigs:
Can Danish crews destined for drilling rigs in British territorial waters fly into the UK?
Any person coming from Denmark or who has been in Denmark in the previous 14 days will not be allowed entry to the UK while regulations are in place.
What is the situation for Danish crew members on offshore vessels in British territorial waters (those already there and those who need to arrive/depart)?
The travel ban applies to persons who have been within Denmark at any point in the last 14 days. Danish citizens who have not been within Denmark for the last 14 days can continue to travel to the UK in line with wider travel policies and restrictions.
Shipping crew:
Can Danish seafarers on vessels calling British ports, e.g. DFDS from Esbjerg to Immingham or from Rotherham to Newcastle, still go if they stay on board while the vessels are in the harbour?
Any person coming from Denmark or who has been in Denmark in the previous 14 days will not be allowed entry to the UK while regulations are in place.
Crew can stay on board during loading/unloading, and then depart with the vessel.
Can truck drivers on board the vessels go in to the UK with the cargo destined for the UK?
Any person coming from Denmark or who has been in Denmark in the previous 14 days will not be allowed entry to the UK while regulations are in place, including HGV drivers. UK nationals and residents will be required to immediately self-isolate; they are not permitted to carry out the delivery.
Non-UK nationals or residents will not be allowed entry.
