The UK-France border—previously shut by the French to stem the spread of a new strain of the CCP virus—will now remain open during the Christmas period, according to Transport Secretary Grant Shapps. As the UK continues to clear the backlog of thousands of trucks through testing of drivers, Shapps said he had spoken to his counterpart in France about arrangements in the coming days. “We’ve agreed the UK-French border at Eurotunnel, Dover, and Calais WILL remain open throughout Christmas in order to help hauliers and citizens return home as soon as possible,” he wrote on Twitter. “As well as ensuring ferries will now sail on Christmas and Boxing Day, we’ve also got great cooperation by French firemen working with NHS Test & Trace and our brilliant military in a big effort to clear the backlog created by the French border closure,” he announced. French transport minister Jean-Baptiste Djebbari said that …