The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has exempted solo commercial truck drivers from new regulations that require transportation workers to wear masks.
The CDC’s mask regulation, issued on Friday, states that in addition to those operating noncommercial, private automobiles and those operated by the U.S. military, “commercial motor vehicles or trucks (weighing 10,001 pounds or more)” are exempt from the requirement “if the driver is sole occupant of the vehicle or truck.”
The regulation implements an executive order issued by President Joe Biden on Jan. 21 requiring masks be worn by travelers or workers to protect against COVID-19 “on conveyances and at transportation hubs.” The order defines transportation hubs as airports, seaports, marinas, train stations, U.S. ports of entry “or any other location that provides transportation subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.”
A U.S. Department of Transportation spokesman told FreightWaves that while solo drivers are exempt while traveling over the road, they would have to comply with the regulation once they entered an airport, seaport or other transportation hub subject to the requirement to drop off or pick up cargo. They would also continue to be subject to any requirements in place at private facilities such as shippers/receivers, truck stops and motels, he affirmed.
According to the regulation, transportation hub operators “must use best efforts to ensure that any person entering or on the premises of the transportation hub wears a mask.” Those efforts include:
- Allowing entry only to those persons who wear masks.
- Instructing persons that federal law requires wearing a mask in the transportation hub and failure to comply constitutes a violation of federal law.
- Monitoring persons on the premises of the transportation hub for anyone who is not wearing a mask and seeking compliance from such persons.
- At the earliest opportunity, removing any person who refuses to comply from the premises of the transportation hub.
- Providing persons with prominent and adequate notice to facilitate awareness and compliance with the requirement of this order to wear a mask.
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mrgir504
Buncha idiots I swear! While you numb nuts wanna be rebellious I’m not gonna wear a mask when out of my truck drivers are laid up sucking air from a ventilator in an ICU, I’ll be hauling your loads! Some really dumbass and selfish people in this world I swear! Yeah I said it and I ain’t take’n it back! Oh and #45’s azz is going to jail!
Cal
He is not a president, more like a dictator. I wear a bandana around my neck, if i see several elderly people in the truckstop, i pull it up. This dictator just wants to bark orders, they believe most of America is stupid and know what’s better for us than we do.
Bill Miller
I will not wear a mask because its a bunch of BS Im a American and am a free man.
Tim Latham
I don’t hardly ever wear a mask and they’re not gonna tell me what I have to do Biden is not our president he can go F himself all this is is a Hitler control BS If I do put on a mask I don’t cover my nose I can’t breathe properly with one on Up in Washington is a bunch of dictators and communist I’ll do as I want they can go stick it up their ass i’ll never acknowledge biden as a president
Susan galliher
Its not “LAW”………………….
Dave
Just wait until some TEAM driver passes out from oxygen depravation and runs their rig into a school bus. Buckle up we are in for a wild ride with this regime in place!
John
Yeah well only problem with that is most of them already stand out in the truck stop parking lots for the first 20 minutes after waking up hacking up their lungs because most drivers are cronic smokers. If COVID gets them, it’ll be because of complications related to something else.
John Cozzi Jr.
Does anyone have any numbers on how many Truck Drivers, Dock Work, Mechanics or Construction workers have contracted the China Virus?
d. frogman
One
Steven
Truckers
The essential workers that are disrespected and abused all year long in top of underpaid and regulated like no others in this country.
Now the so called President issue another stupid executive order…
John
I’ll take it. Beats getting screamed at in an office at a degree required so called “real job” by some politically correct whoever simply because I’m white, male and heterosexual. I’ll drive this truck until the wheels come off. I’ll drive this truck until they remove my lifeless body out from behind the steering wheel before I sign up for that corporate politically correct nonsense. As they say. It could be worse. At least you’re alone for the most part.
Noah Names
Well at least we have a President now and not an insane deranged lying treasonous lunatic con artist at the helm
D.Frogman
No, now we have a borderline senile doting grandpa who may be the first 25th Amendment victim if for no other reason than to get a useless CA B***ch to the helm.
Mike Massingill
Perfectly written!