Transportation services and workers can’t slow down as they play a vital role in maintaining critical society infrastructures and supporting other essential workers during the COVID-19 crisis.
Those working in trucking and transportation services are still reporting for work every day as millions of others are staying home to slow the spread of COVID-19. Transportation services and personnel have always been essential to the delivery of various goods and products, and the importance of this task has only become more pressing as our nation responds to the current public health crisis. Transportation and logistics workers continue to provide critical infrastructure services that keep us safe and comfortable, all the while supporting countless other essential workers at the frontlines battling the spread of COVID-19.
What’s Being Transported?
If we take a moment to think critically about the items that need to be moved by transportation services and personnel during this time, we quickly realize that the whole nation can come to a stop if trucking and deliveries do too. There is a rising demand for truckers to deliver medical supplies and equipment to medical workers and other first responders. Before that even happens, trucks are also needed to ship the raw materials to make these essential supplies. Retail items such as groceries, personal care, and cleaning supplies are being cleared out of stores, so truck drivers are also trying to deliver these high-demand products to restock shelves. Of course, other essential services still need transportation services to move hazardous materials and waste in order to support their critical functions.
Transportation and Logistics Personnel
It’s not just truck drivers and the carriers who are considered essential workers at this time. The Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency issued a guide on essential workers in various industries, including transportation and logistics. In short, these are any employees who support or enable transportation functions, including maintenance work, warehouse and distribution center workers, truck stop and rest stop workers, and so many more.
Trucking Challenges Brought on by COVID-19
Unsurprisingly, changes brought on by the nation’s response to COVID-19 has caused some challenges and pain points to truckers trying to do their job. There were temporary closures of rest stops that drastically took away a safe place for drivers to rest, get some food, even take a shower. Restaurant closures have also made it difficult for truckers to find a place to eat while on the road, especially since they can’t take their commercial vehicle up to a drive-through window even if the restaurant had one. Distribution center and port workers put drivers under more scrutiny, inquiring as to whether they have recently traveled to states with coronavirus hotspots. Some warehouse and distribution centers go as far as not to allow drivers within their facilities to wait for loading and unloading, hand over documents, or even simply using the restroom.
For All Your Trucking Needs
Follow us here at Evan Transportation to get more updates on driving tips and the trucking industry. Evan Transportation provides trucking and transportation services for clients throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. All of our drivers and staff are offered competitive salaries, benefits, and are guaranteed to be home every day. Interested in finding out more? Visit us online or give us a call at 443-673-3365. For even more information, visit us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and LinkedIn.