NEWHAVEN Ferry Port has suspended all traffic for 48 hours after France placed a temporary ban on travel from the UK.

Passengers due to travel on the DFDS ferry passengers will not be allowed to sail into the country for the duration of the ban.

Hauliers have also been told not to set out and those with bookings from Dover or Newhaven have had their journey cancelled, with travel credit issued.

However, sailings will continue for unaccompanied freight trailers, Sussex Resilience Forum said.

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Ferry operator DFDS will also continue inbound to the UK over the next 48 hours to "enable freight and UK nationals and residents to get home."

A spokesman from the Sussex Resilience Forum said: "Sailings from Newhaven Port for accompanied freight and tourist traffic have been suspended for 48 hours to comply with the temporary French ban on people travelling from the UK.

"Hauliers booked on these services have been contacted and told not to set out. Sailings continue for unaccompanied freight trailers.

"The port of Newhaven has not reported any congestion at its site and traffic on roads in Sussex was at normal levels this morning.

"Some passengers have been unable to fly as planned from Gatwick to countries which have temporary restrictions on UK arrivals but the airport is operating flights to other destinations from its North terminal.

"Passengers are asked to check travel details with their airline before heading to Gatwick.

"The Government advises shoppers to continue as normal, with supermarkets and other food businesses well-stocked."

Over the weekend, countries began to ban arrivals from the UK over concerns at the spread of a new variant of coronavirus.

India is the latest state to suspend flights from the UK, joining Hong Kong, Canada, Switzerland and Germany.

Travel to Ireland is banned for 48 hours, while the Northern Ireland Executive is expected to meet today to discuss the situation.

A spokesman from DFDS said: "Services will continue inbound to the UK over the next 48 hours to enable freight and UK nationals and residents to get home.

"If you have a booking from Dover or Newhaven within this 48-hour period, it will be cancelled and a travel credit issued. Please do not come to the ports of Dover or Newhaven during this time as you will not be allowed to travel.

"We will update with any further information as soon as we have it."