FMCSA Posts Emergency Declaration for COVID-19

With the spread of COVID-19, the FMCSA has posted an emergency declaration detailing targeted, limited relief, from Hours of Service (HOS) for COVID-19 emergency efforts. We recommend all Truckstop customers read the declaration in full. We also want to draw attention to the section clarifying what qualifies for this emergency relief from HOS regulations.

This Emergency Declaration provides regulatory relief for commercial motor vehicle operations that are providing direct assistance in support of emergency relief efforts related to the COVID-19 outbreaks, including transportation to meet immediate needs for: (1) medical supplies and equipment related to the testing, diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19; (2) supplies and equipment necessary for community safety, sanitation, and prevention of community transmission of COVID-19 such as masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, soap and disinfectants; (3) food for emergency restocking of stores; (4) equipment, supplies and persons necessary to establish and manage temporary housing, quarantine, and isolation facilities related to COVID-19; (5) persons designated by Federal, State or local authorities for medical, isolation, or quarantine purposes; and (6) persons necessary to provide other medical or emergency services, the supply of which may be affected by the COVID-19 response. Direct assistance does not include routine commercial deliveries, or transportation of mixed loads that include essential supplies, equipment and persons, along with supplies, equipment and persons that are not being transported in support of emergency relief efforts related to the COVID-19 outbreaks.

The American Trucking Associations (ATA) have posted in-depth information regarding the FMCSA’s declaration and additional information about the COVID-19 Congressional Relief Package on their site here: https://www.trucking.org/news-insights/covid-19-update-fmcsa-adjusts-hours-service-congress-prepares-emergency-relief.

Truckstop will continue to monitor the government response to the COVID-19 crisis and will post additional information as it becomes available.