The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has extended the COVID-19 emergency declaration until the end of the year.

This extension continues the exemption granted from Parts 390 through 399 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, for direct emergency assistance for some supply chains. It is limited to the transportation of:

• Livestock and livestock feed; 

• Medical supplies and equipment related to the testing, diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19; 

• Supplies and equipment necessary for community safety, sanitation, and prevention of community transmission of COVID-19 such as masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, soap and disinfectants; and 

• Food, paper products, and other groceries for emergency restocking of distribution centers or stores. 

The order explains that “direct assistance” means transportation and other relief services provided by a motor carrier or its driver(s) “incident to the immediate restoration of essential services (such as medical care) or essential supplies related to COVID-19 during the emergency.”

Direct assistance does not include routine commercial deliveries, including mixed loads with a nominal quantity of qualifying emergency relief added to obtain the benefits of this emergency declaration.  

FMCSA’s latest declaration extension and other documents related to the COVID-19 national emergency are posted at www.fmcsa.dot.gov/COVID-19.