“Our saying right now is, truckers are first responders. It doesn’t matter if it’s a disaster like a hurricane or a national emergency like this,” says John Wilbur, CEO of the Roadmaster Group, in describing his company’s efforts to support drivers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has advised, effective immediately, that all essential workers crossing the Canada-U.S. border must wear a non-medical mask or face covering.
The St. Christopher Truckers Development and Relief Fund, which helps professional drivers who can’t work due to illness or injury, has received large donations from C.H. Robinson, Love's Travel Stops, and Yokohama Tire to help it in efforts to assist drivers who contract COVID-19.
Effective April 10, New Jersey is requiring workers and customers to wear cloth face covering while on the premises of the essential retail businesses, warehouses, and construction sites that are still allowed to be open during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The CDC has issued guidelines for truck drivers delivering into New York City area, which is one of the hardest-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. CNN reported that as of midday March 26, about half of the 74,000 cases of coronavirus in the U.S. were in New York – almost 10 times more than any other state.
Truck drivers have moved back into the national spotlight as they keep freight moving during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, however, they are at risk for exposure to the virus themselves.
The Department of Transportation has issued guidance on drug and alcohol testing for federally regulated transportation workers, as fleets and commercial drivers may face challenges complying with regulations due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, an increasing number of state and local governments have issued orders restricting public gatherings and even told residents to "shelter in place." Trucking, defined as essential by the federal government, is not subject to these orders.
Automotive Fleet spoke to the president of two delivery fleets to talk about how this pandemic has affected his daily operations and the challenges he's facing.
Useful resources for trucking fleets dealing with the Coronavirus and COVID-19 pandemic.