Coronavirus (COVID-19) information

Brittany Ferries is carefully monitoring the ongoing Coronavirus situation. It is following recommendations made to shipping companies by health authorities at national and international level

Check out our latest news : 

NEW COVID-19 REQUIREMENTS FOR HAULIERS TRAVELLING TO ENGLAND FROM ABROAD FROM APRIL 6 2021 

Links to GOV.UK information:
 

• Haulier testing: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/get-a-coronavirus-covid-19-test-if-youre-an-hgv-or-van-driver
• Haulier advice site locations: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/haulier-advice-site-locations
• Haulier isolation: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-hgv-operators-and-drivers-crossing-an-international-border#driver-and-crew-in-cab-isolation
• Tweet to amplify: https://twitter.com/transportgovuk/status/1376230518224789505

FREIGHT DRIVERS TRAVELLING UK TO FRANCE

26/03/2021:

The requirement for drivers to have a Covid test when travelling UK-France has now been withdrawn.

FREIGHT DRIVERS TRAVELLING FRANCE/SPAIN TO UK

From April 6, all freight drivers and their passengers arriving in the UK from abroad will need to take a COVID-19 test if they are staying for longer than 2 days. This is applicable to both UK-based and non-UK drivers.

• If staying in the UK for more than 2 days, the first test needs to be taken within the first two days, then a further test every three days.
• If staying in England for 10 days or longer, you will need to take at least 3 tests, the first within the first 2 days. The arrival date is counted as day 0, you must take your second test 3 days after the first test and the third test 3 days after your second test.

The date and time of your arrival will be collected and recorded in the Passenger Locator Form, which you are required to complete for every journey into the UK. Please note that if you do not have proof of a negative COVID-19 test, you could receive a fine of £2,000.

Passenger Locator Form / receipt of the same sent to Border Force, to be presented at check-in

FREIGHT DRIVERS TRAVELLING FROM UK TO SPAIN

Passenger Locator Form - to be produced / checked at check-in at departure port.

17/11/2020:

***IMPORTANT*** DRIVERS REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTRY INTO FRANCE

It is with immediate effect, mandatory for all passengers and freight drivers to complete, before entering France, a 'Sworn Statement' form self-certifying you do not have COVID-19 symptoms and have not been in contact with anyone with a confirmed case within the past 14 days.

Download 'Sworn Statement' here:

Copies will also be available at the Freight Office of your departure port.

In addition, we recommend that drivers complete an 'Attestation de déplacement Internationale' (International Travel Certificate)' before arrival into France.

Download 'Attestation de déplacement Internationale' (International Travel Certificate)' here:

27/10/2020 :

Important new requirement from the Department for Transport (DfT), in respect of passengers, including freight drivers, arriving in the UK.

It is now a legal requirement that all freight drivers travelling to the UK are provided with information about COVID-19 measures and public health guidelines.
From the 29^th October 2020, changes come into force requiring the use of prescriptive text at 4 key stages, in order to remind freight drivers to complete an on-line passenger locator form (PLF) prior to arrival in the UK. Therefore, customers (including third party agents) must provide the information to the freight drivers at the stages that they manage. In most cases this would be at the time of booking (Stage 1) and by sending a notification 24 to 48 hours prior to departure to the UK (Stage 3). Informing drivers at Stages 2 and 4 will be handled by Brittany Ferries.

The four points at which drivers must be reminded of the information are as follows:

1. At the booking stage
2. At check-in stage
3. Notification 24 to 48 hours prior to departure to UK 
4. On board the vessel

The following text is mandatory and must be transmitted to drivers and any accompanying passengers:

Pre-Departure message

Essential information to enter the UK

The United Kingdom is taking steps to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

1) To protect your health and others', everyone must complete an online passenger locator form before arrival in the United Kingdom.

2) You may be required to self-isolate for up to 14 days on arrival. Check the exempt countries list immediately before you travel as this list can change at short notice.

3) It is a legal requirement that you wear a face covering on public transport in the UK.

Failure to comply with the above measures is a criminal offence and you could be fined. Please visit www.gov.uk/uk-border-control for detailed public health advice and requirements for entering the UK

We thank you for your co-operation in ensuring that drivers are properly informed.

On 03 September 2020:

Brittany Ferries sailing schedules for autumn/winter 2020.

Unfortunately, as well as the global health implications, the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic continue to weigh heavily on the economy and to certain sectors in particular.  Along with many other companies in the travel sector, Brittany Ferries' business model has been very severely impacted by the near total loss of our tourism revenue.  Our business is based on a mix of freight and passengers, the latter accounting for some 70% of the company's turnover.  As tourism disappeared entirely back in March and April 2020, Brittany Ferries reduced its offer to freight-only on a reduced network.  last July, we started to re-open some of our routes, but sadly, since then, we have seen the imposition of quarantine restrictions for travel between Spain and France to the United Kingdom.  As prospects for any improvement during the winter look remote, we have taken the difficult decision to make the following changes to our sailing schedules:

Channel services
 

Portsmouth-St Malo - Currently suspended 

Poole-Cherbourg -  Daily service

Portsmouth-Cherbourg - Weekly service

Portsmouth-Le Havre - Daily service

Plymouth-Roscoff - Currently suspended

Portsmouth-Caen - Normal service, up to 3 sailings daily
 

Spanish services

Portsmouth-Santander - Twice weekly service

Portsmouth-Bilbao - Currently suspended

Plymouth-Santander - Currently suspended

Poole-Bilbao - Twice weekly service.
 

Irish services
 

Rosslare-Bilbao - Twice weekly service

Rosslare-Cherbourg - Weekly service

Cork-Roscoff - Twice weekly service

In the midst of these difficult announcements, Brittany Ferries does have some very welcome news, however.  On 2 December 2020, the newly built MV Galicia made her maiden voyage from Santander-Portsmouth.  She offers a twice weekly service between those two ports, plus a weekly round-trip between Portsmouth-Cherbourg.  The charter agreement for Galicia was signed in 2019, well before the current health crisis. She brings a significant boost to capacity to our Spanish services.

This major consolidation of our offer over the busy winter period will inevitably impact the level of service and capacity that we are able to offer.  Sadly, this action is imperative to safeguard the future of Brittany Ferries. We very much hope that we can continue to rely on your support and thank you for your understanding.

On 25 August 2020:

ROSSLARE PORT:

Please be advised that the authorities at the Port of Rosslare have issued a directive stating that with immediate effect, all port users must be wearing protective masks whilst on the port or in terminal areas.

Thank you for your cooperation.
 

Drivers may be required by national or local authorities to fill-in a health form prior to travel. If you are unwell, please stay at home.

1. Drivers must check-in at least 90 minutes before departure
2. Boarding and disembarkation will be staggered, to avoid queues.
3. Masks must be worn while boarding, disembarking and in public areas on board
4. Wash hands regularly, use hand sanitisers - and follow all crew instructions
5. Drivers are asked to read onboard signs and to respect physical distancing guidance in all public areas
6. A cabin is compulsory on all sailings. To minimise contact with others, remain in this personal space as much as possible
7. Fresh sea air is supplied in all public areas on board, including cabins
8. Enhanced cleaning with virucidal cleaners will take place during and between sailings
9. In restaurants and bars, meal choices may be limited and space adapted to comply with new safety protocols
10. In all public areas, crew will wear masks when interacting with drivers/passengers
11. Medical assistance is available in the event of a suspected COVID-19 case, including a dedicated cabin for isolation

On 26 June 2020 : Spanish Passenger Location Form:

All passengers and freight driver must complete a Public Health Form ( PLF) before arriving in Spain.

The PLF will be available to drivers at check-in and must be completed by the driver prior to arrival in Spain. Forms will also be available on board ship.

This is a legal obligation that Brittany Ferries, as a ferry transporter, must comply with.

On 18 June 2020 : We are pleased to announce that freight drivers can again be carried on the MN Pelican, Poole-Bilbao-Poole. The following conditions strictly apply:

Social distancing measures to be respected at all times.

For France & Spain: Ship's Health declaration to be completed prior to embarkation which must be retained by the driver during the crossing, these declarations are available at the Freight check-in, and also from the following link: 

Masks are to be worn whilst on port areas and during movement around the ship.

Drivers will have access only to the cabins and a designated smoking area

Drivers are asked not to leave their cabin except for dining and safety reasons.

There will be no access to communal areas.

Drivers are required to strip their own beds on arrival at the port of destination and bag bed linen together with towels.

Drivers will be required to complete the Passenger Locator Form for presentation on arrival in the UK

*****No-shows and cancellations within 48 hrs of departure are subject to a charge equivalent to full ticket value*****

On 05 June 2020 : The British government requires that with effect from 8^th June 2020, all passengers (including freight drivers) arriving in the UK complete a declaration. Drivers or their employers must complete the declaration by visiting the following web site:
https://visas-immigration.service.gov.uk/public-health-passenger-locator-form
All information must be completed each time a driver arrives in the UK.  Once completed, the driver will need to show proof of completion to Border Force officials on arrival.

With effect from Friday 8 May, Brittany Ferries has made the wearing of  face masks by freight drivers compulsory on all of its services. This regulation will apply from arrival in the port area, to departure from the port of destination, with the only exception being when the driver is inside their cabin on board the ship. We thank you for your co-operation and understanding whilst we strive to offer the maximum level of protection to drivers and to our colleagues on board and ashore.

On 05 May 2020 : A decree by the Spanish Government now makes it mandatory for drivers arriving at Spanish ports and using ferry services to wear a protective face mask. Please enure that your drivers are informed and suitably equipped.