Special Edition V.4 (March 2020)
CORONAVIRUS NEWS
UPDATES ON WHAT WE KNOW… 3/20/20
March 20, 2020

MAINE CREDENTIALING AND REGISTRATIONS

MMTA has asked for clarification on the expiration of licenses, medical card self-certification, registration and other credentialing expirations, as well as what members are to do with new registrations for purchased equipment. We understand that clarification from the Governor and/or the Secretary of State is forthcoming – hopefully today.

Most jurisdictions are extending expirations for 30-days, and the emergency bill passed by the Maine Legislature, signed by the Governor vaguely addresses part of our concern:

1. Vehicles and trailers. Notwithstanding the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 29-A, chapter 5 or any other law or municipal charter provision or ordinance to the contrary, a registration, including a temporary registration, of a vehicle, including, without limitation, a motor vehicle, all-terrain vehicle, watercraft or snowmobile, or a trailer required to be registered in this State that expires during the period of a state of emergency declared by the Governor in accordance with Title 37-B, section 742 due to the outbreak of COVID-19 is deemed extended until 30 days following the termination of the state of emergency.

TRUCK PARKING & FACILITIES

We are getting many calls about jurisdictions closing rest stops and parking facilities. Maine does not seem to be having these problems – see yesterday’s Maineline E-Newsletter for updates from Dysart’s, the Maine Turnpike Authority and Irving.

The other problem in this regard is shippers/receivers closing rest rooms to drivers who are making pickups and deliveries. While there is nothing to force businesses to allow truck driver access, we encourage everyone to respect our professional truck drivers just as you would first responders – they are the ones delivering relief supplies and critical items so America can properly manage this emergency. By not treating them with the respect they deserve, it disincentivizes them from making deliveries which everyone wants to avoid.

We just received notice that Pennsylvania has reopened all 17 service plazas starting this morning. Restrooms and limited food items will be available inside each facility.

HOURS-OF-SERVICE EXEMPTION

FMCSA has posted a Frequently Asked Questions section to their website that can be found HERE.

DRUG & ALCOHOL COMPLIANCE

We understand FMCSA is going to be distributing guidance on how carriers can continue to comply with drug and alcohol regulations given the current COVID-19 emergency. Obviously, we will pass that information on the members as it becomes available.
STATES CLOSING NON-ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES
March 20, 2020

California - The California State Public Health Officer and Director of the California Department of Public Health is ordering all individuals living in the State of California to stay home or at their place of residence. The Executive Order exempts operation of "critical infrastructure sectors", including transportation and logistics, as outlined in guidance issued by the Department of Homeland Security. Furthermore, the Executive Order explicitly states "the supply chain must continue".

Pennsylvania - all non-life-sustaining businesses in Pennsylvania are to close physical locations as of 8 pm yesterday.  A list of life-sustaining businesses is here. Trucking is included on list of life sustaining businesses as are support activities for road transportation. 

New York - Governor Cuomo has announced that 100% of the workforce must stay home unless considered an essential business. Guidance has been issued to define what is an essential business. Based on TANY internal discussions, trucking and businesses supporting trucking are considered essential despite the vagueness of the guidance.
DEFINITION OF “ESSENTIAL”
March 20, 2020

As the Nation comes together to slow the spread of COVID-19, on March 16th, the President issued updated Coronavirus Guidance for America. This guidance states that:

“If you work in a critical infrastructure industry, as defined by the Department of Homeland Security, such as healthcare services and pharmaceutical and food supply, you have a special responsibility to maintain your normal work schedule.”

The Department of Homeland Security has identified workers who conduct a range of operations and services that are essential to continued critical infrastructure viability, including staffing operations centers, maintaining and repairing critical infrastructure, operating call centers, working construction, and performing management functions, among others. The industries they support represent, but are not necessarily limited to, medical and healthcare, telecommunications, information technology systems, defense, food and agriculture, transportation and logistics, energy, water and wastewater, law enforcement, and public works.

As states amend emergency declarations, we are hopeful there is consistent guidance when it comes to businesses that are essential, especially when it comes to trucking and transportation-related relief. Below is the TRANSPORTATION AND LOGISTICS list developed by the DHS - we understand they will be offering additional clarity for truck drivers on Monday. For a full copy of all lists, please click HERE.

TRANSPORTATION AND LOGISTICS
  • Employees supporting or enabling transportation functions, including dispatchers, maintenance and repair technicians, warehouse workers, truck stop and rest area workers, and workers that maintain and inspect infrastructure (including those that require cross-border travel)
  • Employees of firms providing services that enable logistics operations, including cooling, storing, packaging, and distributing products for wholesale or retail sale or use.
  • Mass transit workers
  • Workers responsible for operating dispatching passenger, commuter and freight trains and maintaining rail infrastructure and equipment
  • Maritime transportation workers - port workers, mariners, equipment operators
  • Truck drivers who haul hazardous and waste materials to support critical infrastructure, capabilities, functions, and services
  • Automotive repair and maintenance facilities
  • Manufacturers and distributors (to include service centers and related operations) of packaging materials, pallets, crates, containers, and other supplies needed to support manufacturing, packaging staging and distribution operations
  • Postal and shipping workers, to include private companies
  • Employees who repair and maintain vehicles, aircraft, rail equipment, marine vessels, and the equipment and infrastructure that enables operations that encompass movement of cargo and passengers
  • Air transportation employees, including air traffic controllers, ramp personnel, aviation security, and aviation management
  • Workers who support the maintenance and operation of cargo by air transportation, including flight crews, maintenance, airport operations, and other on- and off- airport facilities workers
Frequently Asked Questions Related to the FMCSA Emergency Declaration
March 19, 2020

Q: Are loads that include supplies related to direct assistance under the emergency declaration mixed with other, un-related materials covered under the declaration?

A: Generally, yes, however, mixed loads with only a nominal quantity of qualifying emergency relief added to obtain the benefits of this emergency declaration are not covered. READ MORE
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