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Last week, IRU launched a global call for immediate and concerted action by governments and global organisations to ensure the flow of goods keeps moving and to stabilise mobility networks.
Having reached out to over 30 key international organisations and institutions worldwide, our calls are unfortunately largely unanswered.
IRU Secretary General, Umberto de Pretto, said: “We are extremely concerned about the lack of coordination and individual approaches put in place by governments worldwide. The global community can only deal with this pandemic if it acts together”.
To help the road transport industry continue delivering the essentials, these are the actions that require immediate global coordination:
1. Harmonising safety standards and conditions for drivers
Today, drivers returning from international trips are often put in forced 14-day long quarantines, even if they don’t present symptoms. These measures need to be replaced with access to free testing and hygiene tools, to make sure drivers are able to continue working safely to keep delivering goods in time.
2. Keeping borders moving – no systematic checks on Covid-19
There is a patchwork of individual national approaches to border operations. Some countries have even closed their borders completely to road freight, some have closed them to drivers of certain nationalities, regardless of where the truck has come from.
Countries need to keep their borders open, harmonise inspection and health procedures based on international standards, and put a stop to systematic controls which lead to goods being stuck in long queues.
3. Helping transport companies – especially SMEs
Small and medium sized enterprises – often family run – are the backbone of road transport across the globe, moving goods and people and representing up to 90% of the industry. These SMEs must receive financial aid in the first place, to avoid imminent bankruptcies and lasting economic impacts on supply and mobility chains.
Many SMEs are likely to go bankrupt by the time the pandemic ends, unless they receive immediate financial support without excessive bureaucracy. Passenger transport companies are closing down completely, and more and more goods transport companies will also not survive the longer the pandemic continues. Read more
Source: IRU
