Boris Johnson is set to hold crisis talks with ministers today after France placed a temporary travel ban on the UK, blocking lorries carrying freight from entering the country.

The Port of Dover has now closed to all freight vehicles leaving Britain for at least the next 48 hours. Hauliers coming to the UK from France will still be allowed in, but lorry drivers may choose not to travel to avoid being stuck in Britain over the festive period.

Kent Police have said they are now implementing Operation Stack, which sees lorries park on the motorways, in a bid to ease potential congestion. The Department for Transport has also said Manston Airport is being prepared as another contingency measure to help with the disruption.

France joined Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austra, Denmark and Bulgaria in blocking travel from the UK on Sunday, after the Prime Minister shared concerns over a new variant of Covid that is up to 70% more contagious.

The Netherlands is currently investigating a case of the mutated strain recorded in the country, while Italian authorities also confirmed it had been detected in a traveller who recently returned to the nation from the UK.

With France suspending traffic from the UK for 48 hours, there are now fears that trade flows could be severely disrupted, creating shortages of some items which are imported from Europe at this time of year.

A No 10 spokesman said on Sunday: ‘The Prime Minister will chair a Cobra meeting tomorrow to discuss the situation regarding international travel, in particular the steady flow of freight into and out of the UK.

‘Further meetings are happening this evening and tomorrow morning to ensure robust plans are in place.’

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