Trucking news and briefs for Friday, Feb. 18, 2022:
A group of 16 governors from the United States and two Canadian premiers wrote a letter to President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau requesting the leaders reinstate the exemption for truck drivers from cross-border COVID vaccine mandates.
“We understand the vital importance of vaccines in the fight against COVID-19 and continue to encourage eligible individuals to get vaccinated,” the group said in the letter. “However, we are deeply concerned that terminating these exemptions has had demonstrably negative impacts on the North American supply chain, the cost of living, and access to essential products for people in both of our countries.”
The letter noted that the timing of the mandates – with Canada’s going into effect Jan. 15 and the U.S.’ on Jan. 22 – “could not have been worse” due to supply chain challenges caused by the pandemic.
“These constraints, combined with increasing inflation, place significant burdens on the residents of Canada and the United States,” the group added. “Furthermore, transportation associations have informed us that the lack of exemptions will force thousands of drivers out of the trucking industry, which is already facing a significant workforce shortage. The removal of these exemptions is ultimately unnecessary, and we cannot afford to lose any more truck drivers who transport food and other vital supplies across the border.”
Red Eye Radio will be celebrating Mid-America Trucking Show’s 50th anniversary in the lobby of the event with live appearances and musical performances by country music artists ranging from JD Shelburne and Lucas Hoge to Presley & Taylor and Tony Justice to name a few.
Visitors to the Red Eye Radio booth (Booth No. 41064) will also be able to register for daily drawings for CB Radios, GPS Units and more.
