The Canadian Trucking Alliance is commending the Federal Government\u2019s declaration that commercial truck drivers are essential workers who will be exempt from the requirement to\u00a0self-isolate for at least 14 days upon entering Canada from abroad.<\/p>\n
Speaking at a press conference, Transport Minister Marc Garneau said certain kinds of workers \u2013 such as truck drivers, train and air crews and others whose professions require cross-border travel\u00a0to the U.S. in order to maintain trade\u00a0and deliver essential products to Canadians \u2013 will be exempted from the \u00a0condition to self-isolate as the government attempts to limit the spread of coronavirus.<\/p>\n
Public Safety Minister Bill Blair reinforced the importance of exempting essential transportation workers from the protocol if they are asymptomatic. \u201cWe believe the risk of essential workers crossing the border can be managed effectively,\u201d he said. \u201cFor the purposes of not just their own employment but also to keep Canada moving, essential workers need to be able to keep moving across the border.\u201d<\/p>\n
Garneau and Blair said that if any traveller is exhibiting symptoms of the virus, whether they are exempted or not, that individual will be referred to public health officials and directed to self-quarantine.<\/p>\n
Canadian Trucking Alliance\u00a0president Stephen Laskowski said the trucking industry\u00a0supports the Government of Canada and all provinces in every way to mitigate the spread of\u00a0COVID-19, while also applauding Ottawa\u2019s recognition that truck drivers are indispensable workers who are critical in the fight against stemming the spread of the disease and getting essential supplies to Canadians who need them.<\/p>\n
\u201cEach and every time they\u2019ve been needed, Canada\u2019s truck drivers have always answered the call in an emergency,\u201d said Laskowski. \u201cThese are unprecedented times for Canadians. I have no doubt that, as front-line essential workers, our nation\u2019s truck drivers will do what is required to keep Canada moving and keep Canadians safe.\u201d<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, for truck drivers entering the U.S., CTA has confirmed with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that it will be business as usual, unless a U.S-bound driver has returned from a \u201chot spot\u201d country within the last 14 days. If a truck driver returning from one of the countries listed in\u00a0president Trump\u2019s recent Executive Order, attempts to cross a border within 14 days, they will be denied entry into the U.S. Officials on both sides of the border have indicated that additional scrutiny and questioning of drivers will occur, but they will attempt to prioritize the efficient movement of truck drivers and goods as much as possible moving forward.<\/p>\n
CTA will be working with border officials on creating a best practices document on how to safely interact and communicate at the border to ensure both truck drivers and border officers remain safe. For any border crossing issues related to COVID-19, please reach out to\u00a0lak.shoan@cantruck.ca<\/a>.<\/p>\n