RRA Exclusive Interview: EU Commissioner for Transport
European Commission recommends Member States that international truck drivers should be exempted from quarantine or self-isolation measures if they do not show COVID symptoms.
Articol de Alex Lancuzov, 16 Martie 2020, 18:10
European Commissioner for Transport, Adina Vălean, exclusively for Radio Romania News Channel (RRA):
- Exception from quarantine / self-isolation: truck drivers who come from red areas, if they have no symptoms
- Change of legislation for truck drivers
- Special driveway for freight carriers
European Commission recommends Member States that international truck drivers should be exempted from quarantine or self-isolation measures - including those taken in the so-called red areas - if they do not show visible symptoms, as a measure to support the sector, seriously affected by the Covid 19 pandemic.
This is one of the measures proposed today in a document that will be discussed with all EU Transport Ministers on Wednesday, as stated exclusively for RRA European Transport Commissioner Adina Vălean:
“We have seen that decisions taken at the borders to stop traffic create jams, queues where drivers are waiting for more than 20 hours. Trucks have to circulate, we have to ensure a smooth traffic, so we have to make sure Member States cooperate. Let me give you a few examples of suggestions from that document: the first would be that there is no double control at the border, the country you leave and the country you are entering. Then, there must be a special truck driveway. Also, one can talk about derogations from the rules on driving and resting periods for professional carriers (maximum 9 hours / day allowed) and obligation that, every two weeks, the driver does not rest in the truck cab", Adina Vălean, European Transport Commissioner, announced at the RRA.
In countries with more than 500 coronavirus cases, such as Italy, Spain, France, Germany, Belgium or Austria, trucks enter and leave without restrictions, and drivers are not sent to quarantine or self-isolation, announces the National Union of Road Carriers in Romania.
At the borders, the temperature of the drivers is measured, and at the loading / unloading places special measures have been taken - the drivers get out of the cab, wash their hands, disinfect and then take the documents. The goods are loaded and insured by the consignors.
Source:RRA.Translated by Miruna Matei
