Cross Border
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.
Truck Drivers Exempt from US Order for Travellers to Mask Up
The US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention issued an Executive Order on January 29, 2021, requiring passengers on all forms of public transportation in the US to wear masks, with a specific exemption for commercial vehicle drivers who are the vehicle’s sole occupant.
The CDC Order is here. The exemption for truck drivers is on page 5, as follows:
This Order exempts the following categories of conveyances, including persons on board such conveyances:
FAST Enrollment Centre Closures
Thanks to the Manitoba Trucking Association for the write up!
The Canadian Trucking Alliance continues to work with the Canada Border Services Agency on the closure of FAST enrollment centres impacting new FAST card applicants. The issue of securing an exemption to the current travel restrictions for FAST applicants continues to be a significant challenge.
CBSA Offers Additional Guidance on Safe Border Interactions
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Canada Border Services Agency has taken a number of steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in its commercial operations and is actively exploring a number of initiatives to limit physical interactions at border crossings.