The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has extended its emergency declaration yet again, providing relief from hours of service regulations for truckers responding to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. It was to expire June 14, but has been extended until July 14.
- 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
- Medical supplies and equipment related to the testing, diagnosis, and treatment of COVID-19
- Livestock and livestock feed
“This extension addresses national emergency conditions that create a need for immediate transportation of essential supplies, and provides necessary relief from (federal regulations) for motor carriers and drivers,” FMCSA said in a statement.
This most recent extension removes some of the categories that previously qualified, including “food, paper products, and other groceries for emergency restocking of distribution centers or stores” as well as some raw materials to manufacture medical supplies and equipment related to the testing, diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19, and fuel.
“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 this emergency declaration,” the agency statement said.
