The U.S. Department of Transportation issued an emergency declaration to waive hours of service regulations for truck drivers moving essential supplies for direct assistance to the response of Coronavirus. The Declaration states that the covered items include:
Medical supplies and equipment related to the testing, diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19;
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;
Food for emergency restocking of stores;
Equipment, supplies and persons necessary to establish and manage temporary housing, quarantine, and isolation facilities related to COVID19;
Persons designated by Federal, State or local authorities for medical, isolation, or quarantine purposes; and
Persons necessary to provide other medical or emergency services, the supply of which may be affected by the COVID-19 response.
The Declaration is meant to cover essential goods being transported from the manufacturing facility to distribution centers and ultimately store shelves. FMCSA does not plan to provide an extensive list of products that are considered essential.
The FMCSA has also stated hopes to work with any state and local authorities to resolve conflicts within any state and local laws and has requested information on local or state guidance that impedes interstate commerce.