Truckers everywhere will certainly know by now about Corona virus, or the particular strain known as COVID-19 which is causing so much concern throughout the world. They are in a fairly unique situation too, because whereas many people have been urged to stay home and avoid as much human contact as possible, the trucking community as a whole have been urged to keep doing what they do, so people can still receive supplies.

It’s times like these that truckers can be proud to be the ‘life blood’ of commerce and they need to keep ‘rolling’ no matter what. Obviously they too are subject to contracting COVID-19, but they do have the protection of spending most of the time in the cab of their own vehicles and being away from other human contact for most of their working shift.

There are some precautions though that they are advised to take and in the interests of keeping our truckers on the road and our goods coming into the stores and warehouses, all trucking companies are advised to implement – and truckers advised to carry out – the following:

Don’t show if you are sick – This is not an invitation to take leave, but if you have any ‘flu-like’ symptoms like a sore throat, runny nose, regular sneezing or a dry cough or temperature, report in sick and report your symptoms on the phone to your Doctor so he or she can advise whether or where you can be tested.

Regular hand washing – Like anyone else, regular hand washing with soap and water is advised particularly after any contact with goods or people. Trucking companies, truck stops and garages are advised to provide alcohol-based hand sanitizers when regular facilities are not available. Truckers should keep some in their cabs for regular spraying.

Don’t touch your face – Regardless of how often you wash your hands resist touching your face, particularly around the eyes, nose and mouth.

Maintain your distance – At any point where you stop or engage with other people, keep a distance of about two meters from others. COVID-19 is not airborne, but can be passes via tiny droplets of spittle through the air.

Don’t invite passengers in – This is a practice generally frowned upon, but now absolutely vital, no passengers at all especially hitch hikers and unknowns.

Cleaning objects that are touched frequently – Objects that you touch or anyone else may touch, such as your steering wheel and gear levers, doorknobs, handles, railings, kettles, etc. should be cleaned more often than usual with regular disinfectants, or soap and water.

Keep tissues handy – For regular cleaning and to sneeze or wipe your face, keep boxes of tissues and encouraging their use for others too. Dispose of used tissues immediately. Keep a bin or bag in your truck for these and dispose of it at your next stop in a toilet.

Don’t share – In this case ‘not sharing is caring!’ Don’t share cups, glasses, dishes and cutlery on the road, or when at home. Be sure dishes are washed in soap and water after use.

Keep to the great outdoors – Truckers are blessed with the fact that they can be in the great outdoors when out of their trucks a lot of the time. Take your own food and stop at lay-byes, rather than at truck stops where there are other people.

For more information on the coronavirus/Covid-19 itself, here is just one site you can visit – https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/diseases/coronavirus.html

Keep trucking in the best there is

This article is just one on a wholes series of trucking advice brought to you by the company that really care about truck owners and Drivers alike – FAW. We have our own Driver training facility and for the last 25 years we have been supplying South African’s with a great range of new or ‘pre- owned’ affordable quality demo and low mileage used vehicles.

Contact us or go to our website to find a dealership near you and find out about our incredible range of tried and tested top quality freight carriers, truck tractors, tippers and mixers, which come standard with competitive warranties and 24hr roadside assistance.

We have been around long before the COVID-19 threat and will still be there for you long after it has passed – in the meantime, take care of yourselves!