German delivery company Deutsche Post DHL has announced it is suspending deliveries to the UK and Ireland in the wake of increased travel restrictions in response to a new strain of Covid-19.
The company said in a statement: "Regrettably, we are forced to completely halt deliveries of packages and letters containing goods to Britain and Ireland from now until further notice."
It added that letters and postcards would still be delivered.
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The move puts many international Christmas deliveries in jeopardy as European countries continue to close their borders to the UK in response to the discovery of a mutated Covid-19 strain in the south east of England.
More than 40 countries have banned UK arrivals, including Spain, India, Hong Kong, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Romania, Russia and Switzerland.
France also suspended 'all flows of people from the United Kingdom for 48 hours, and for all means of transport', which affects freight by road, air, sea and rail.
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In an earlier statement today, DHL said a suspension of road services from the EU to the UK and from the UK to the EU had already been planned due to Brexit uncertainties, but was brought forward as countries raced to close their borders to the UK in light of the recent coronavirus developments.
The Guardian reports that senior officials from EU countries will meet today to coordinate the bloc's response to the new UK Covid strain, with options expected to be discussed including a ban on travellers from the UK until 6 January and coronavirus testing for hauliers to protect international trade and supply chains.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson will also chair a Cobra meeting today to discuss ways of preserving UK trade and address the current disruption at ports in the south east.
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A spokesperson for Number 10 said: "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."
Transport secretary Grant Shapps has warned of 'significant disruption' in Kent ports following the ban on travel from the UK to France. He added: "We're asking the public & particularly hauliers not to travel to Kent ports or other routes to France."
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