With the Covid-19 pandemic triggering a state of emergency in the province of BC and spurring new regulations around sanitation and non-essential business operations, truck drivers have found it difficult to secure necessities such as meals, toilets, showers and accommodations.
The province is hoping to alleviate some of these issues and improve travelling conditions for truck drivers by installing portable toilets at several inspection stations, chain-up areas and commercial vehicle pull-outs.
In a press release from the Province of British Columbia, truck drivers were singled out as being an important part of the supply chain for everyone in these difficult times.
“Commercial truck drivers play an important role in maintaining the supply chain by delivering essential goods during the Covid-19 pandemic. The drivers ensure people around the province continue to have access to the items they need, including food and medicine. This is why it is crucial that commercial truck drivers have safe and clean facilities.”
Approximately 20 portable toilets have been installed since the project began this past weekend, with more to be potentially added in the coming weeks.
The private sector has also stepped forward to make life more comfortable for truckers, with Vancouver radio station Red FM contacting the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure offering to fund additional portable toilets in the Surrey and Delta areas. Members of the BC Trucking Association have taken on the “Meals for Truck Drivers BC” initiative, setting up food trucks at various commercial cardlocks across the province. And Tim Hortons restaurants have opened several locations across Canada to truck drivers for both take-out and restroom use.
There are 203 rest areas in BC, which the Ministry is keeping open and working diligently to keep clean and safe.
While roads and highways are open, Provincial Health Officer Bonnie Henry urges people to stay home and avoid any non-essential travel in order to stop the spread of Covid-19.
