EU-UK coronavirus travel restrictions continue

After dozens of countries imposed travel restrictions on people from the UK over the new coronavirus variant, talks are underway between the British and French governments about how to safely reopen the border. Hundreds of lorries are building up in the south-east of England, unable to cross to the continent via the Channel Tunnel. We speak to one of the lorry drivers currently stranded. And our business correspondent brings us the latest developments.

Our coronavirus expert of the day, Dr Isaac Bogoch, will answer more listener questions on the new variant itself and what we’re learning about whether it poses more of a risk. There are some questions about whether it could be more easily transmissible amongst children in particular.

And we’re revisiting some of the people we’ve spoken to through the year who have shared experiences during the coronavirus crisis. We’ll return to a couple of guests who told us about loneliness under lockdown, who have now struck up a friendship to help them through the pandemic.

(Photo: Lorries parked on the M20 near the port of Dover, December 22, 2020. Credit: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire)