Selected COVID-19 and trucking news that may impact your business.
As of March 18, 2020:
Breaking: U.S. and Canada to close border for nonessential travel
FreightWaves
Deal would allow goods to continue to flow between the U.S. and Canada to preserve vital cross-border trade relationships. Read More
Truckstop operators, fuel groups request HOS waiver for fuel
FreightWaves
Fearing fuel shortages related to coronavirus disruptions, the National Association of Truckstop Operators (NATSO) and three fuel groups are urging regulators to issue an hours-of-service (HOS) waiver for transporting fuel. Read More
FMCSA to truck stops: ‘Remain open 24 hours’
CDL Life
In the midst of the Coronavirus crisis, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has demanded that truck stops stay open to serve the men and women of the trucking industry who are keeping the nation functioning. Read More
Oakland seaport, airport exempted from Bay Area lockdown
FreightWaves
Alameda County officials say the Oakland port and airport are too critical to close as part of quarantine. Read More
ATA appeals to White House for driver provisions
FreightWaves
Trucking’s most powerful lobbying group is asking the Trump administration to help balance federal, state and local government restrictions with the needs of truck drivers and carriers as the industry grapples with the effects of the coronavirus crisis. Read More
ATA, Morgan raise concerns about Keystone State’s rest stop closure
FreightWaves
The fallout from Pennsylvania’s decision to close its 65 rest stops throughout the state has drawn the attention of the American Trucking Associations (ATA) and a leading Wall Street analyst. Read More
From a 200-truck line at Costco to loads ‘screeching to a halt,’ COVID-19 envelops the economy, trucking
Overdrive Online
Mid-week last week, a driver for Quality Transport Company, a 31-truck fleet out of Freeport, Illinois, was hooked to brokered load bound for a Costco distribution center in Tracy, California. The operator happened upon a sight he’d not seen before seen before in his 30 years behind the wheel: An approximately 200-truck line — and growing — waiting to drop off.
Trucker Eli Vaughan noted that as a result of COVID-19 precautions “my main shipper will not allow drivers or visitors to enter their facility. Back up near the door, take the chains, straps off. … Or vice versa. Can’t use the bathroom or break room” at all, he says. Read More
Truck stops adjust diner practices, shower hygiene, to deter virus transmission
Overdrive Online
The three major truck stop chains say they’ve instituted new sanitation practices for dining areas and showers to help protect customers during the COVID-19 outbreak. Read More
19 states shut down all dine-in restaurants, leaving truckers with fewer food options
CDL Life
During the Coronavirus/COVID-19 crisis, multiple states are closing or restricting restaurants and bars, meaning that truckers delivering the essential supplies that Americans need could go hungry themselves. Read More
COVID-19 Update – DOT Declares National Emergency for CMV Delivering Relief
AJOT
On March 13, 2020, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued a national emergency declaration to provide hours-of-service (HOS) regulatory relief to commercial vehicle drivers who are transporting emergency relief in response to the nationwide coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak. Read More
A Note from FleetLocate:
We are hearing from many of our customers that they are experiencing higher demand due to the need to restock shelves that have been emptied. If that is the case for you, one thing we can do is put you in touch with one of the many leading trailer leasing companies we work with on a regular basis. These companies may be able to help you deal with sudden spikes in demand for trailers.