Cross Border
Canada & U.S. Border Vaccination Mandate Update
Canada:
BCTA would like to remind members that the Government of Canada has removed all COVID-19 testing, quarantine, and isolation requirements for anyone entering Canada, effective October 1, 2022.
UPDATE: CBSA-CBP Extend Temporary In-Transit Process until March 31, 2022
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have announced an extension of the temporary in-transit process until at least March 31, 2022.
These temporary measures were announced in response to the supply chain disruptions caused by the BC’s extreme flooding event in November 2021 and designed for Canadian domestic truck carriers that do not cross the border in the normal course of their operations.
Canada’s Vaccine Mandate for Cross-Border Operations Begins January 15
Starting January 15, Canada will enforce a vaccine mandate for border-crossing commercial drivers, meaning the exemption from entry requirements that has been applied previously will no longer be in effect. Proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will be required at the Canada-US border.
The U.S. also has a vaccine mandate in place, requiring the trucking sector crossing the border to be fully vaccinated beginning January 22.
Drivers required to use ArriveCAN to submit information prior to entering Canada
As of February 21st, 2021, at 11:59:59 PM, it will be required for all travellers to submit their information electronically before or when entering Canada. Commercial transporters will continue to be able to submit the mandatory information before or when entering Canada. For travellers who have not submitted their information in advance, they will be asked to provide it on entry. No Canadian driver will be denied entry into the country.
US FMCSA Again Extends Waivers for HOS & CDL Rules
The US Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has extended regulatory relief for truck drivers transporting cargo related to COVID-19 and for those who are unable to renew the commercial drivers’ licences or provide medical certificates/arrange for physicals, in both cases to May 31, 2021.
Hours of service relief is only available to drivers transporting:
Truck Drivers Remain Exempt from COVID Test Requirements
On February 9, 2021, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced incoming measures at the land border that would require all non-essential travellers entering Canada to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test before arrival. Truck drivers, as essential workers, remain exempt.
“As of next Monday, people who show up at a Canadian land border on non-essential travel … like returning snowbirds, will be expected to show a negative PCR test from the previous 72 hours,” said Trudeau.
US CBP Complies with Mandatory Mask Order; Masks Required at all US Ports
US Customs and Border Protection has issued a press release stating they are complying with the recent Executive Order issued by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention making masks mandatory at all transportation hubs, which CBP has clarified includes all ports of entry.
As well, CBP has clarified that truck drivers do not have to wear a mask while they are the sole occupant of the commercial vehicle but are required to do so when exiting their vehicle, entering a facility at a porty of entry, or when at secondary inspection.
FMCSA Proposes Eliminating Vision Exemptions for Drivers
In a notice of proposed rulemaking January 12, 2021, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is seeking an alternate vision standard that would replace the current exemption program as a basis for establishing vision qualifications.
“It is well recognized in the literature that individuals with vision loss in one eye can and do develop compensatory viewing behavior to mitigate the vision loss,” according to FMCSA.
CARB Planning Updates to TRU Regulations
The California Air Resources Board has released a summary of recent changes to the transportation refrigeration unit rulemaking, with additional information on key elements staff may include in amendments to the TRU Airborne Toxic Control Measure. These amendments may affect both truck and trailer TRUs and TRU generator set engines.