BC Implements Requirement for Self-Isolation Plan
The Province of British Columbia is introducing new measures for those entering British Columbia from international destinations. This requirement is in place beginning Friday, April 10, 2020 regardless of the point of entry into Canada.
According to the BC Trucking Association:
All drivers who have been outside Canada in the 14 days prior to entering British Columbia, regardless of their point of entry to Canada, must complete, file, and have approved a self-isolation plan before entering British Columbia, each time they enter the province. This includes land crossings at borders, and also drivers who entered Canada elsewhere in the 14 days prior to entering British Columbia.
Commercial drivers entering British Columbia in the course of their employment do not need to self-isolate, however, unless they are symptomatic.
However, they still must complete, file and have an approved plan before entering.
Full story here.
The BC Trucking Association is managing this issue and looking to further clarify the policy and will provide details as they become available. For additional information, contact the BCTA.
Ontario updates IFTA Enforcement Direction
In a waiver issued today, the Ontario Ministry of Finance updated enforcement guidance for carriers as a result of COVID-19. Included in the details is the following:
In recognition of these constraints, Ontario is currently waiving all IFTA credential requirements for commercial motor vehicles travelling within this province. During this period police and enforcement officers have been directed to suspend IFTA requirements for both Ontario and out of jurisdiction carriers. Additionally, commercial motor vehicles that are legally permitted to operate in their home jurisdiction will be permitted to operate in Ontario”.
For complete details of the Ontario waiver, please click here: Letter to IFTA Membership from_public
For an accounting of all Waivers issued by IFTA jurisdictions, click here
CBSA Alternatives to Paper Processing During COVID-19
The CBSA is making progress towards expanded use of email and fax, in lieu of paper submissions of commercial documentation. The first wave of ports to offer email service will be Vancouver, Toronto, Windsor, Montreal and Halifax. Additional offices will come online shortly. Commercial clients are encouraged to communicate with their local CBSA office to determine their state of readiness and the best method currently available.
Please note that carriers need to obtain confirmation from the local office prior to sending documents by email.Please see Annex A – April 8 2020 – COVID Update_public –for details and note the updates in redand updated images of electronic CBSA stamps.
Unless changes are announced to clearance procedures or the admissibility of goods, importers should not assume a change has been made or that confirmation is required.
If carriers have additional questions regarding these new procedures, please call the BIS contact number below.
Border Information Service (BIS) line: Within Canada (Toll-free): 1-800-461-9999 Outside Canada (Long distance charges apply): 1-204-983-3500.
FMCSA extends HOS Emergency Declaration to May 15, 2020
“The extension of Emergency Declaration 2020-002 provides regulatory relief for commercial motor vehicle operations providing direct assistance in support of emergency relief efforts related to the COVID-19 outbreaks, including transportation to meet immediate needs for: (1) medical supplies and equipment related to the testing, diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19; (2) 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; (3) food, paper products and other groceries for emergency restocking of distribution centers or stores; (4) immediate precursor raw materials — such as paper, plastic or alcohol — that are required and to be used for the manufacture of items in categories (1), (2) or (3); (5) fuel; (6) liquefied gases to be used in refrigeration or cooling systems; (7) equipment, supplies and persons necessary to establish and manage temporary housing, quarantine, and isolation facilities related to COVID-19; (8) persons designated by Federal, State or local authorities for medical, isolation, or quarantine purposes; and (9) 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, including mixed loads with a nominal quantity of qualifying emergency relief added to obtain the benefits of this emergency declaration.”
For complete details, conditions and restrictions, click here
Government of Canada Continues to Refine the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)
The federal government has continued to refine the CEWS over the last few days. A summary of just some of these changes is below. You can read more on these and the CEWS at: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2020/04/additional-details-on-the-canada-emergency-wage-subsidy.html
- A business will now be able to compare its revenue to the same month last year OR an average of January and February 2020.
- A business needs only to demonstrate a 15% reduction in gross revenues for March. A 30% reduction will still be required to receive the subsidy in April and May.
- The program will now allow businesses to use either accrual or cash accounting methods.
- Employer paid Employment Insurance (EI), Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) and Quebec Parental Insurance Plan premiums in relation to CEWS will be reimbursed.
- Businesses can start applying for interest-free loans on April 9. Applications are available through local financial institutions.
You can find additional CTA resources available here: https://cantruck.ca/covid-19/