Special Edition V.28 (April 2020)
CORONAVIRUS NEWS
Public Health Agency of Canada Issues Non-Medical Mask Policy for All Essential Workers Crossing the Border
Canadian Trucking Alliance

The Canadian Trucking Alliance was informed today by the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) that the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is directing the agency, effective immediately, to implement a policy requiring all essential workers crossing the border to wear a non-medical mask or face covering and to provide drivers with a mask should they not have one.

In its conversation with CBSA, CTA was told that no drivers will be turned away from entering Canada as a result of this policy and CBSA will be attempting to provide drivers with a mask should they not have one.

PPE Update – New Resources Available
April 16, 2020

In response to feedback from our members, MMTA has been searching for different sources of PPE for purchase. Below is what we have found as of today – obviously, this article is meant to provide MMTA members with resources to obtain PPE and we do not advocate for or sponsor any of these suppliers or equipment

Disposable Surgical Masks

An MMTA member contacted us last week to acknowledge our frustration with the State of Maine regarding our PPE order. This member had access to ordering disposable surgical masks, but the minimum order was 50,000 and the masks were going to be $0.50 each plus shipping and tax. We are grateful he thought of calling us and we have ordered 25,000 that will hopefully be arriving by the end of next week.

MMTA members who have already submitted an online order request have been contacted to see if they still want the amount of masks they ordered. IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE the original request to the State was for N95 masks and the ones we have ordered are disposable surgical masks that do not offer the same protection as N95 certified masks. But one of the things we have been hearing from members is that they would like to offer their employees and drivers at least some minimal protection, even if it is a homemade or disposable mask.

If you have not already submitted an online order and you would like to be in line for masks should there be excess amounts, please fill out the online order form HERE.


Thanks to our friends at the Trucking Association of Massachusetts, they have told us about access to the following different PPE sources for purchase.  

N95 Respirators

envo®mask N95 Respirator Kit: envo®mask – based in Hampton, N.H. – has a reusable respirator mask with disposable filters. More information is available at their website and you can order online here.

The envo® mask reusable respirator mask is designed for comfort and superior seal. The AIRgel° cushion technology provides a custom fit avoiding leaks. Wearing this mask will not fog your safety glasses.

Filters are individually wrapped to provide a clean, electrostatically charged filter to be installed prior to each use. Mask and filters are NIOSH N95 rated.

Gloves

Although gloves continue to be difficult to obtain, TAM does have a suggested supplier in the area.

Gloves are 3 mil palm thickness - Box of 100 sold in cases of 10 price $99.95 plus shipping*
  • White lightly-powdered vinyl gloves
  • Available in large and extra large sizes

*Price and availability is subject to change at any moment.

Please reach out to Ken Powtak from KP Specialty Supply to place your order. Ken can be reached by phone at (617) 784-8806 or via email at kpowtak1@aol.com. 

Disinfectant 

Annihilator Disinfectant: Comes in a gallon bottle. Spray-on or wipe-on and let sit 3 to 4 minutes to air dry. 70 percent alcohol. $225 per case of four, one gallon bottles.

Germ-Away Disinfectant Spray, 18 ounce can: $69.95 per case of 12 cans.

*Price and availability is subject to change at any moment. Prices exclusive of shipping and handling fees.

Please reach out to Ken Powtak from KP Specialty Supply to place your order. Ken can be reached by phone at (617) 784-8806 or via email at kpowtak1@aol.com.
Federal Regulators Exempt Expired TWIC Cards Through July 31
Transport Topics

The Transportation Security Administration has granted a temporary exemption for the expiration of Transportation Worker Identification Credentials through July 31 for cards that expired after March 1.

The temporary exemption, announced April 14, is intended to minimize the spread of COVID-19 during the nationwide emergency.

The exemption became effective April 10.

Trucking Industry Leaders Named to White House Economic Revival Group
ATA

Arlington, Virginia – American Trucking Associations President and CEO Chris Spear is among the selection of transportation leaders named by President Trump to the administration’s Great American Economic Revival initiative, which is convening bipartisan groups of industry leaders from across all sectors of the U.S. economy. These groups will work with the White House to chart the path forward for the economy as it rebounds from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I am honored to serve our President and the nation in this capacity, representing the trucking industry and joining four ATA member company CEOs, to bridge this crisis to a safe, speedy and full recovery,” said Spear. “Just as they have during the mitigation and response efforts, truckers will be at the forefront as we revive our economy’s engine and get our country moving again. No industry will be more vital, and we embrace the opportunity to play a leading role in this national effort.”

The following trucking CEOs were also named to the administration’s transportation group: 
  • Fred Smith, FedEx
  • David Abney, UPS
  • John Roberts III, J.B. Hunt
  • Darren Hawkins, YRC Worldwide 

Trucking is the central link in the United States’ supply chain, moving more than 70 percent of the nation’s freight tonnage. More than 80% of U.S. communities depend solely on trucking for delivery of their goods and commodities. In 2018, the trucking industry hauled 11.49 billion tons of the nation’s goods.

Throughout the mitigation and response phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, truckers continue to serve on the frontlines, delivering food, PPE, medicine and other essential supplies to meet the needs of medical professionals, first responders and the American people. 
CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES
We will keep MMTA members posted as new information comes in. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to email Tim, Randy or Brian if you have questions.
THANK YOU MMTA ANNUAL SPONSORS
Maine Motor Transport Association
P.O. Box 857
Augusta, ME 04332-0857
ph: (207)623-4128
fax: (207)623-4096