Dec 24th, 2020
2 mins
– International and Great Britain to Northern Ireland carriage of goods –
In response to the exceptional pressures on the freight industry due to the continued consequences of coronavirus (COVID-19), the Department for Transport (DfT) has introduced a temporary relaxation of the enforcement of the EU drivers’ hours rules in England, Scotland and Wales for the general haulage of goods in Great Britain (GB) and now includes International and GB to Northern Ireland.
This relaxation reflects the exceptional circumstances stemming from and envisaged in relation to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, including the new strain, and the end of the EU transition period. There have been closures and restrictions of international routes to outbound accompanied UK freight. There has been and there are risks of congestion in and around ports, affecting international supply chains.
Timing of the relaxation
The relaxation of the rules applies from: 00:01 Wednesday 23 December 2020 until 23:59 on Friday 22 January 2021
The current situation is being kept under review and the Department reserves the right to withdraw or amend the relaxation if circumstances change.
