WEDNESDAY 23rd

UK-FRANCE DEAL
-Last night the government announced the deal agreed with France to reopen the border and allow freight to travel through

-The deal is based on mass testing of lorry drivers, 150-200 military personnel are being deployed to give lateral flow tests to hauliers in Kent
-Lorry drivers get their results in 20-30 minutes, they’ll then get a text message, allowing them proceed to France
-It appears Macron backed down on a demand to make the lorry drivers have more accurate PCR tests, which take 24 hours to give a result
-A government official says the PM was “full of praise” for how Transport Secretary Grant Shapps handled the crisis 💕
-It is expected to take days to clear the backlog and hauliers are still being asked not to come to port
-Rail, air and sea services will resume on Wednesday morning, all those travelling from the UK to France will need to show a negative test taken within the previous 72 hours
ABOUT THOSE LATERAL FLOW TESTS
-“The government shelved plans to open rapid-turnaround test centres across England amid concerns about the accuracy of their results”
-“Directors of public health had concerns about the potential false reassurance to those testing negative.” 😬
TIER 4
-More areas could be in Tier 4 from the 26th as cases rise, Ministers will meet today to discuss further possible measures after the UK recorded its highest daily increase in coronavirus cases
-Sources warn there is 'high chance' of full national lockdown in New Year
-"I’m told public health chiefs were pushing for a national Tier 4 across England from Boxing Day, unclear yet whether politicians have agreed to it."
-Health ministers could announce the changes today after review was brought forward from December 30
NAUGHTY NICOLA
-Nicola Sturgeon has apologized after the Sun got hold of pics of her chatting to pensioners in a pub without a face mask
-“This was a stupid mistake and I’m really sorry” She says, after she broke laws requiring pub customers to wear masks unless seated at a table
BREXIT
-A UK source said an agreement on a UK/EU trade deal is again possible today, EU sources stressed that they do not have much room for manoeuvre on fisheries
-"UK source now says agreement on a UK/EU trade deal is again possible tomorrow" - ITV's Peston *yawn*
USA
-US President Trump warned he will not sign the stimulus package until Congress amends it
-He called the bill a disgrace and full of wasteful and unnecessary items, He demanded that stimulus checks are increased to $2,000 from $600
-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi responded to Trump saying she welcomed his call for $2,000 checks for most Americans. "Democrats are ready to bring this to the Floor this week by unanimous consent. Let’s do it!”
Who would have thought
Housing Sec Jenrick on the morning broadcast round
-Hope there is no link between Brexit and border issues
-Hope to see trucks crossing today to Calais
-Will take a few days to work through backlog of trucks
-New variant is spreading fast
-No plan to change Christmas rules

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