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Think again on trucker Covid checks, IRU tells Germany

[ February 19, 2021   //   ]

The International Road Transport Union (IRU) has written to German Chancellor Angela Merkel pointing out that her country’s refusal to exempt professional truck drivers from mandatory COVID-19 testing broke previous commitments on EU “green lanes” and the free movement of goods, and moreover dids not help curb the virus.

It added that with other countries and regions copying Germany’s restrictions to prevent thousands of drivers being stuck on their own territory, a chain reaction is building across Europe, bringing supply chains to a halt.

It would affect supply chains across the EU and supermarkets, hospitals and factories will soon see the effects, IRU warned.

“Germany was long an anchor for free trade across Europe’s single market. We implore Chancellor Merkel to recognise the damage that her government’s decision is now causing, especially to her neighbouring countries, and to immediately exempt truck drivers from mandatory COVID-19 testing so they can do their job and keep supply chains moving.” added IRU director general Umberto de Pretto.

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