Selected COVID-19 and trucking industry news that may impact your business.
As of April 2, 2020:
FMCSA’s Statement on State and Local Shelter in Place and Other Restrictions on Movement Relating to COVID-19
Scopelitis Transportation Consulting
On April 1, 2020, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issued a guidance document to provide additional clarity to: (1) State and local governments considering quarantine or travel restrictions; and (2) to drivers providing direct assistance for the COVID-19 National Emergency. The guidance encourages State and local government to consider the Department of Homeland Security guidelines that identify truck and bus drivers as essential workers when implementing actions that may impact freight and passenger transportation and recommends unrestricted movements and access for these workers.
This new FMCSA document also highlights the CDC’s Travel Advisory for New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, which expressly excludes truck drivers and notes that these employees “have a special responsibility to maintain normal work schedules.” Finally, the FMCSA document highlights the Center for Disease Control and Prevention guidance to truck drivers which provides recommendations on how a driver can stay safe while delivering essential supplies.
Also of interest is a new document issued by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) which lists all jurisdiction temporary operational changes to SDLA’s, which may provide a bit more authoritative document.
UBS sees April, May freight ‘falloff’
FreightWaves
On a Wednesday conference call with the firm’s clients, UBS (NYSE: UBS) freight transportation analyst Tom Wadewitz said he expects a “falloff” in rail and truck volumes in April and May. He said the coronavirus-related volume surge in recent weeks has created a consumer inventory buildup of at-home essentials like groceries and household supplies. Read More
FMCSA issues guidance for truckers in travel-restricted areas
Land Line
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has released guidance regarding truck drivers who are making deliveries to areas that have been hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic. Read More
Industry groups urge states to cut truckers slack at travel plazas
FreightWaves
Drivers waiting up to two hours to get carryout food and use facilities. Read More
For Some Fleets, Adding Drivers Is a Mission
Transport Topics
The spread of the coronavirus has created some division in the freight-hauling sector. As the situation at two fleets illustrated, while some loads have dwindled to a trickle in this temporarily locked-down economy, other parts of the trucking industry are booming to meet the demand for necessary consumer goods and medical supplies, and adding drivers however they can. Read More
FEMA leans on largest carriers to ensure supply chains hold up to COVID-19
Fleet Owner
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is working with the largest carriers in the country to ensure the U.S. supply chain can keep up with a patchwork of COVID-19 responses. Read More
Semi crash leaves Texas interstate scattered with toilet paper
CDL Life
No one was hurt when a semi truck hauling toilet paper crashed and burned near Dallas early Wednesday. Read More