The President and CEO of the BC Trucking Association (BCTA) says while the Canada-US Border is open to truckers at this time, the COVID-19 situation is changing rapidly each hour.
Speaking on the NL Morning News, Dave Earle says drivers are facing enhanced questions and screenings before they are allowed across the border.
“The border agents are much more attentive to the person’s condition as they move south and north, regardless of their point of origin or their citizenship,” he said.
He is recommending that all drivers carry their passports with them when crossing the border.
“That will show where they have been in the past two weeks,” added Earle. “So for example, if they ask you have you been to a country where COVID-19 declarations are in place, and they say no, they will immediately have their passport there to indicate, ‘yeah, seriously. No, I haven’t been to any of those countries.'”
Earle says all of the measures are being taken are to ensure the safety of drivers and others, while keeping the supply chains moving.
“[The BCTA] and our Federal body, the Canadian Trucking Alliance are also putting together strategies for drivers to be able to use, in addition to the usual control strategies that we all are practicing, like social distancing and hand washing.”
“We all are also suggesting that drivers take extra food with them so they don’t have to get out of their vehicles as often.”
And Earle is also asking people to mindful of drivers that are on the road, as he says many are being denied access to washrooms and food.
“I’d encourage businesses to be aware of how important the work that these drivers do is,” Earle said. “So, please be accommodating and give them a break. Let them use that washroom. Let them order as a walk up at a drive-thru window because they don’t have a lot of alternatives.”
On Saturday, BC’s Health Minister Adrian Dix said he was pleased that the border between Canada and the United States has been closed to all non-essential travel.
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