The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Wednesday, April 8 extended its national emergency declaration to May 15.
Originally enacted March 13, the declaration provides relief from hours of service regulations for drivers responding to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak. The original declaration was to expire Sunday, April 12.
The agency said the extension also covers liquefied gases to be used in refrigeration or cooling systems.
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The declaration applies to drivers delivering:
- Medical supplies and equipment related to the testing, diagnosis and treatment of the COVID-19 coronavirus
- Equipment, supplies and persons necessary to establish and manage temporary housing, quarantine
- Food, paper products and other groceries for emergency restocking of distribution centers or stores
- Supplies and equipment — e.g. masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, soap and disinfectants — necessary for community safety, sanitation, and prevention of community transmission of COVID-19
- Raw materials, such as paper, plastic or alcohol, required for the manufacture of essential items
