UK PETROL SHORTAGE CRISIS

Petrol in the United Kingdom has reached record level lows as motorists scramble to fill up their cars, delivery vans, trucks and buses.

The shortage is due to no truck drivers being available to transport the petrol because of various factors including the pandemic, lockdown and Brexit.

Because of COVID-19 regulations, the UK has closed its borders to a lot of countries, including South Africa. Many of the truck drivers in the UK are from other countries and can’t enter the UK because their country is either on the red list or a long quarantine is required and they can’t afford it.

With lockdown happening in almost every country in the world, many truck drivers returned to their home countries to wait it out there. Either they managed to find work in their home countries and decided not to return to the UK or they’re unable to get back.

Many believe the main reason is Brexit. Due to a lot of residents from European countries not being able to simply enter the UK with their passport in hand, they can’t afford to pay for the extra documentation or they simply don’t want to do so.

Due to the shortage in petrol, many people have started panic-buying and have filled up their cars just in case. This has meant that essential workers, buses and delivery vans are hit hardest because they need to travel daily.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced that the army is ready to assist with the delivery of petrol across the UK. At this stage, it seems as if Northern Ireland is unaffected.

Image credit: The Scotsman