As we manage the uncertainty that the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) is causing in nearly all areas of our lives, the globe is facing unprecedented challenges. The spread of the virus has already had an impact on the domestic freight market due to supply chain disruptions and shifting consumer patterns.

We want to assure you that we are doing everything possible to maintain the highest level of service for our customers and carriers, to ensure that trucking’s role as an essential service at this time can continue.

Trucking as an Essential Service

As an essential service, there are some important points to be aware of:

• Commercial truck drivers are still allowed across the US/Canada Border, as it is open only to essential travel to preserve critical supply chains between the two countries. The border is closed to all non-essential travel.
• If a worker who has traveled out of country develops symptoms, they should self-isolate and contact 811 (Canada) or your healthcare provider (US). If a worker develops symptoms while providing services, they should immediately put on a mask and finish any essential services they are providing, then self-isolate and call 811 (Canada) or your healthcare provider (US).
• All workers who do travel outside the country for essential services as noted above are required to self-monitor daily.
• For Canadian carriers, 14-day self-isolation does NOT apply to service workers for whom travel outside the country is essential. For example, cross-border trucking, airline crew, film industry staff, or other people who work and travel between Canada and the US for work.

Critical Regulatory Changes

There are also some critical regulatory changes to be aware of, as enacted by the United States Government’s Emergency Declaration. By execution of this Emergency Declaration, motor carriers and drivers providing direct assistance in support of emergency relief efforts related to the COVID-19 outbreaks will not be subject to Hours of Service Regulations. This applies to drivers who are providing transportation to meet immediate needs for:

• 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 for emergency restocking of stores;
• Equipment, supplies and persons necessary to establish and manage temporary housing, quarantine, and isolation facilities related to COVID-19;
• Persons designated by Federal, State or local authorities for medical, isolation, or quarantine purposes;
• Persons necessary to provide other medical or emergency services, the supply of which may be affected by the COVID-19 response.

Direct assistance does not include routine commercial deliveries, or transportation of mixed loads that include essential supplies, equipment and persons, along with supplies, equipment and persons that are not being transported in support of emergency relief efforts related to the COVID-19 outbreaks. To ensure continue safety on the nation’s roadways, the emergency declaration stipulates that once a driver has completed his or her delivery, the driver must receive a minimum of 10 hours off duty if transporting property, and 8 hours if transporting passengers. 

Our joint efforts are important now as they have ever been, as supplies are needed across the nation. We have plans in place that will allow UWT to continue operating while also practicing efforts that slow the transmission of the virus. These include the common-sense practices that everyone can do to prevent infection and transmission: hand washing, sneezing or coughing into your sleeve, avoiding touching your face, drinking lots of warm water, and practicing social distancing.

The information contained in this letter has been diligently researched, and drawn from reputable sites such as the CDC, WHO, and local & federal government websites. One of the best ways to stop the spread of misinformation is to ensure you are relying on good sources. With that said, we will continue to provide the service and support you have come to expect from UWT, which includes providing something that is needed more than ever during this time: peace of mind.