With the Government outlining some guidelines on the wearing of masks, the Irish Road haulage Association (IRHA) offers some advice to its membership. Also, as the restrictions are lifted in most European Countries, members are warned to make drivers aware where some temporary regulations have relaxed drivers hours, things may have changed, check the International Road Transport Union website for regular updates (details below).
Latest COVID-19 Posters and Advice on Mask Wearing
Government advice on the wearing of a cloth face covering is recommended in situations where it is difficult to practice social distancing, for example, in shops or on busy public transport.
Further advice on this can be found at: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/aac74c-guidance-on-safe-use-of-face-coverings/
COVID-19 Public Health Advice Posters: ‘Stay home. Stay safe. Protect each other’
The Government has updated the COVID-19 public health advice posters to reflect movement to the next phase in managing the pandemic. These posters are now under the heading ‘Stay home. Stay safe. Protect each other.’ Two posters have been developed for public use. The first is a general public information poster and the other is aimed at staying safe outdoors.
These posters together with other Department of Health COVID-19 Information Resources can be found at: https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/02cd5c-covid-19-information-resources/#hand-hygiene-posters
Latest from the IRU – www.iru.org
UK – Border Controls
The British Government has announced new plans for passengers arriving in the UK from abroad. As expected, these introduce new measures at the UK border to guard against a second wave of Coronavirus infections and include 14 days self-isolation for anyone entering the UK, bar a short list of exemptions.
Road haulage and freight workers are exempt from the requirements in order to ensure the supply of goods is not impacted. Exemptions also include anyone travelling within the Common Travel Area, covering Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.
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ITALY – Paperwork required
Until 2 June, foreign drivers operating in Italy must still certify that they are employed and currently working as drivers. The Transport Ministry did state that foreign drivers working in Italy were required to carry a self-declaration (in Italian) confirming their understanding of the provisions of the emergency situation, their full name and reason for being in the country. However a ‘reduced’ version of the self-certification (shown in the link) must now be used.
On 21 May, the Italian Minister of Transport & Infrastructure signed a Decree that lifts domestic traffic bans for goods vehicles heavier than 7.5 tonnes on the following days: 24 May, 31 May and 2 June.
Members are reminded that Sunday and holiday traffic bans for vehicles carrying out international transport in Italy are lifted until further notice.
GERMANY – Update on restrictions
The German Federal Ministry of Transport has recommended that Regional Governments suspend the additional German Summer restrictions concerning special sections of motorways on Saturdays between 1 July and 31 August from 07:00 to 20:00. However, for the time being, implementation of this recommendation is still pending implementation by the Regional Governments. The States of North Rhine-Westphalia and Saxony-Anhalt have already granted such an exemption.