London — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government is desperately trying to reopen trade routes to France after a day of cross-Channel political bartering failed to end the chaos at the UK’s busiest port.

France shut down freight traffic from Dover in southeast England at midnight on Sunday because of fear over a faster-spreading mutant strain of the coronavirus that forced the UK government to impose a strict lockdown on London and surrounding areas. Spain and Portugal, meanwhile, are among more than 40 countries restricting flights and effectively isolating the UK..

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