A pilot announced by Ontario that aims to improve accessibility of COVID-19 testing for the trucking industry is being lauded by the Ontario Trucking Association.<\/p>\n
Premier Doug Ford has routinely stated one of the keys to fully reopening the economy is getting as many Ontarians as possible tested for COVID-19, regardless of whether they are exhibiting symptoms or not. Today\u2019s announcement to designate one of DriverCheck\u2019s occupational testing clinics and other locations as official, publicly funded testing sites means the trucking industry will have more convenient access to COVID-19 testing.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith the guidance of the medical community, the trucking industry and its customers have introduced multiple effective measures\u00a0(OTA-Proactive Measures-Covid_public<\/a>) to prevent the spread of COVID-19. As a result of these efforts, along with the self-isolating nature of the occupation, Ontario truck drivers are not exhibiting an elevated of contracting or spreading COVID-19,\u201d said OTA Chair David Carruth.<\/p>\n \u201cOTA agrees with Premier Ford that providing widespread availability of voluntary testing to Ontarians is one of the most effective tools to fight this pandemic and get the economy up and running. Today\u2019s announcement will assist the\u00a0province\u2019s\u00a0commercial drivers immensely in accessing COVID-19 testing.\u201d<\/p>\n DriverCheck\u2019s mobile operations and locations are designed to accommodate long-haul drivers whose work schedules can pose challenges to accessing the provincial network of testing centres.\u00a0The initiative is also expected to improve access to general healthcare \u2013 up to 14 per cent of Canadians do not have a family physician and that percentage is even higher within the trucking industry. During the pilot, DriverCheck will providing access to its virtual care platform for the commercial driver community.<\/p>\n \u201cOntario Minister of Health Christine Elliott championed a great program, which for the first time allows many Ontarians to access doctors remotely and improves access to medical assistance for commercial truck drivers who do not have a physician for potential COVID-19 and other medical issues,\u201d said Carruth.<\/p>\n The pilot will be operated directly by DriverCheck and the Ministry of Health over the summer. At its conclusion, the program will be reviewed for its effectiveness toward improving access to COVID-19 testing for the trucking sector.<\/p>\n \u201cFirst and foremost, we are humbled by the opportunity to make a difference in Ontario by improving\u00a0access to physicians as well as COVID-19 testing\u00a0for truckers,\u201d\u00a0said Connor Page, Vice President of Strategy at DriverCheck.<\/p>\n \u201cThe trucking industry is the lifeline of our economy and is doing an amazing job already at containing the virus. With this new voluntary testing regime, we are ensuring truck drivers have better access to COVID-19 testing based on their challenging work schedules.\u201d<\/p>\n DriverCheck was founded in 1996 and is the leading provider of workplace medical testing and assessments in Canada, serving over 6,400 employers in a variety of industries including transportation, oil & gas, aviation, rail, mining, construction, healthcare, manufacturing and forestry. DriverCheck conducts hundreds of thousands of medical tests annually, offering alcohol and drug testing, occupational health services, medical cannabis review services, medical staffing and injury management programs.\u00a0In response to the pandemic, DriverCheck has pivoted quickly to provide COVID-19 related services that allow companies to take control of their workplace safety, including their innovative online symptom reporting application,\u00a0DC Access<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cThroughout the COVID-19 crisis, Transportation Minister Caroline Mulroney has worked with all of the trucking industry to assist in maintaining uninterrupted delivery of goods required by Ontarians. Today\u2019s announcement is a reflection of that collaborative approach and symbolic of her deep understanding of the unique issues facing truckers and value the trucking industry brings to the Ontario economy,\u201d added Carruth.<\/p>\n Additional Industry Feedback:<\/p>\n The Province of Ontario will be covering all costs associated with the pilot. Drivers and companies utilizing the DriverCheck services will not be charged any amount to have the COVID-19 test conducted. To learn more about the DriverCheck pilot please contact: (insert DriverCheck contact).<\/p>\n\n