This sudden disruption to your routines can have a negative impact on overall health and wellness. That’s why it is now more important than ever to prioritize your physical, mental and emotional health.
Get an adequate amount of rest for your body and get at least 20-30 minutes of light to moderate exercise each day; such as walking, hiking, jumping jacks, squats, etc.
Don’t forget to drink plenty of water to improve your energy levels and immunity.
MARCH 18, 2020 MESSAGE FROM DON DECKER
I would like to, again, thank you for your commitment and dedication in keeping America’s supply chain moving! You are our “Superheroes” just without the capes! You are the lifeline to society, and it is now, more than ever, critically important that we support each other and work together to overcome these challenging times.
I want to assure you that we are experiencing very strong freight volumes and have the capacity to keep all of you very busy. In this process, it is very important that you stay healthy by taking all the precautionary measures that we have provided to you.
Practice social distancing – as a Professional Driver, you are relatively less exposed by being solo in your truck.
However:
o Keep contact at shipper and receiver locations to a minimum and be aware of crowds at truck stops.
o Keep human interactions to a minimum (avoid handshakes and hugs) and be aware of possible contaminated surfaces at all stops.
o To adhere to social distancing, many truck stops and rest areas are providing food takeout and delivery options instead of dine-in.
o We would also like to suggest that having a supply of food and preparing your meals in your truck as much as possible is also a good way to practice social distancing; according to Patrice Fourtina, our Driver Performance Coach, a minimum of 3-day supply of food is a good practice.
SAFETY FIRST – Your safety is very important. Many of our truckstop partners have reached out to us showing their support. They have asked us to share their sentiments with you, our Professional Drivers. Please click on the links below for great information from Pilot Flying J, Loves and TA/Petro:
https://www.pilotflyingj.com/covid-response/
www.loves.com/covid19
https://www.ta-petro.com/
We are here to support you and will continue to do our best to provide you with accurate and timely updates. If you have any questions regarding the Coronavirus, please call our Health & Benefits Manager, Andrea at 2350 or our Director of HR, Courtney at 2340.
Updates** on Rest Areas, Trucks Stops and Truck Plazas for our Professional Drivers
Because of many conflicting reports and comments on social media, we have researched and confirmed updated details on rest areas, truckstops and travel plazas:
Rest Areas – Currently Pennsylvania is the only state confirmed to have closed their rest areas. Brenda Neville, President of the IMTA, has informed us of the following: “From our daily calls with other state trucking associations the majority of states are not closing the rest areas because truck parking is going to be even more important with relaxation of HOS. We have continued to emphasize this with the Iowa DOT. We will continue to monitor and get you info as it comes to us.” (You need to operate as normal in compliance with the HOS regulations. If Decker has a load that meets the criteria for the waiver for the regulations under the emergency declaration, you will be notified.)
Truckstops and Travel Plazas – According to a press release from NATSO:
NATSO, representing the travel plaza and truckstop industry, issued the following statement today confirming that its members remain open and continue to serve the professional drivers who are transporting supplies and goods in support of COVID-19 emergency relief.
Travel centers and truckstops across the U.S. continue to provide food, fuel and the other essential amenities needed by professional drivers, including showers.
“Truck drivers are depending on truckstops and travel centers as they deliver food and life-saving supplies. Our members are committed to doing their part during the nation’s response to this emergency,” said NATSO President Lisa Mullings. “As the nation confronts the coronavirus outbreak, the country’s travel centers and truckstops are committed to remaining open and serving America’s drivers. Fuel retailers are ‘essential’ businesses that must remain open even if other ‘nonessential’ businesses are forced to close.”
Travel centers are well-positioned to serve the nation’s hard-working, professional drivers during this critical time.
Although some states have ordered the closing of sit-down restaurants, travel plazas and truckstops offer many food options, including quick-serve food and healthy grab-and-go options. Even where restaurants are prohibited from offering sit-down table service, travel centers are converting those restaurants to allow for take-out options.
“In these difficult times it is essential that the American people can count on the nation’s professional truck drivers to continue delivering food and other essential products to communities throughout the country,” Mullings said. “The truckstop and travel center industry is committed to continuing to play the important role of feeding and fueling truck drivers.”
We hope this information is helpful to you. As you know, this is a very fluid situation with things changing daily, but we will do our best to give you accurate and timely updates.
There is a lot of contagious illness going around our country right now, notable the Coronavirus, so we wanted to take a few minutes to remind you to stay diligent about your health when you are out on the road as well as back at home! You come into contact with people from all over, so keep these tips in mind to help you stay healthy:
If you have any questions please contact our Health & Benefits Manager, Andrea, at Ext. 2350.
Stay healthy and stay safe!
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