Due to the continued emergency situation brought on by the quickly spreading COVID19 virus, the FMCSA has worked with transportation providers to make sure that supplies critical to the population such as medical provisions, essential paper products and food will continue to move through the supply chains.
It’s important to realize that while most of the population doesn’t give much thought to how their stores are being stocked, without truck drivers, warehouse workers, manufacturing employees, store stockers, railroad, ocean and air carrier personnel and many more, none of the test kits, masks, respirators, food or toilet paper would move throughout the country.
In states and local regions that are under lockdown, any logistics personnel moving essential freight are exempt and may continue to work as normal.
We hope that all logistics personnel that are working harder than ever are trying their best to stay safe.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is providing exemption for current HOS rules for trucks that are moving goods that “support of emergency relief efforts related to the covid19 outbreak”.
This provides the necessary relief to make sure that any emergency freight arrives as soon as possible, as in this medical crisis every minute counts for those that are serious ill.
From the FMCSA here is a breakdown on what qualifies:
- “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.
- Food, paper products and other groceries for emergency restocking of distribution centers or stores.
- Immediate precursor raw materials—such as paper, plastic or alcohol—that are required and to be used for the manufacture of essential items.
- Fuel.
- Equipment, supplies and persons necessary to establish and manage temporary housing, quarantine.
- Persons designated by federal, state or local authorities for medical, isolation, or quarantine purposes.
- Persons necessary to provide other medical or emergency services.
- The expanded declaration stipulates that 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 the emergency declaration.”
It’s important to remember that even in the wake of this emergency safety is always first. In light of continued road safety, a minimum of 10 hours is required after completing a delivery.
Take a look for more information on the FMCSA’s Website Detailing these exemptions
This is the first time this has ever been done and represents the extreme severity of the ongoing situation.
We all owe a huge thank you to the many truck drivers, logistics personnel and manufacturing workers that are working day and night to help this country fight the coronavirus.
Thank you and stay safe!
