NATSO is now encouraging all truckstops and travel plazas to adopt a policy requiring customers to wear some type of face covering to protect the health and safety of both employees and customers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Following recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the association, which represents truckstops and travel plazas across the U.S., has been pushing all members to adopt a mandatory mask policy. According to NATSO, the differing mask requirements from one locality to another has created confusion among commercial truck drivers. By adopting a universal mandatory mask policy, it will prevent drivers from “navigating differing policy requirements as they cross state and local boundaries."

“In many parts of the country, we are seeing a growth in the number of cases, so we expect that more states, cities and counties will mandate masks,” said NATSO President and CEO Lisa Mullings. “While we understand that there is disagreement about whether to mask, we are urging members to follow the advice of medical experts, including the CDC. We have a patriotic duty to guard the health of our employees and customers and believe this is an easy way to get the U.S. economy moving during this unprecedented global pandemic.”

NATSO also urged associations representing the trucking industry, including the American Trucking Associations, to encourage all commercial truck drivers to wear masks.

“It’s time once again for our industry to lead and show our country how to get the job done. This pandemic is a crisis not of our making, but overcoming it requires each of us doing our individual part,” said ATA President and CEO Chris Spear. “Masking is the simplest and most effective way to defeat this virus, and ATA strongly encourages all fleets to adhere to mask requirements in private truckstops and public rest areas.”

Love’s Travel Stops recently announced that beginning July 29, the company will require all customers to wear face coverings at every Love’s Travel Stop, Love’s Country Store, Love’s Truck Care, and Speedco locations across the country.