The European Commission recommended on Tuesday that EU member states lift the blanket bans some have imposed on arrivals from Britain to allow essential journeys to resume. "Flight and train bans should be discontinued given the need to ensure essential travel and avoid supply chain disruptions," a statement from the EU executive said.

In a statement on Tuesday, the commission said that freight transport to and from the UK must be allowed to continue uninterrupted but that any unnecessary journeys should be avoided "until further notice." 

France shut down freight traffic from Dover in southeast England at midnight on Sunday. Spain and Portugal, meanwhile, are among more than 40 countries restricting flights and effectively isolating the UK.