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The beginning of a new digital entry and exit system Tourists are banned from Dover “under the guidance of French authorities”.
Port officials in the city of Kent said that the European Union entry/exit system (EES) was ready to go from Saturday 1 November, but that implementation was put on hold, saying they were following instructions from French counterparts.
The new system will take fingerprints and photographs of third country nationals, including British tourists, to increase security in the block. The measures are in place for all Britons entering schengen areaWhich includes 29 European countries, mainly in the European Union.
For most passengers, EES checks will take place at overseas airports, but those boarding international services from London St Pancras railway station, Port of Dover and Eurotunnel’s Folkestone Terminal will need to complete EES checks in the UK.
New schemes have already been introduced to ferry passengers as well as coaches and freight in coaches at Dover. But officials said tourists traveling in cars will not be tested as planned for now.
“While the Port of Dover facilities will be ready by November 1, we are being directed by the French authorities as to when we will be activated,” port chief executive Doug Bannister told the BBC.
This comes after the phased rollout of EES described as A “complete mess” by the European travel association AtoA, with concerns about the lack of clear information.
The port of Dover has warned It could take cars six times longer Due to be processed due to new border checks. Currently the port takes about 60 seconds to process each vehicle.
Mr Bannister had previously said “all the facilities are in place” and “there will be no delays”.
When the EES was first conceived, the UK was part of European Union – And there was no expectation that British travelers would be checked. but under Brexit deal, boris johnsonThe government of Britain negotiated to make British passport holders third country citizens.
Independent Contact the Port of Dover for further information.