Commercial truckers reminded of COVID exemption changes

    With the end of COVID-19 executive orders in Nebraska, the State Patrol is reminding owners and operators of commercial trucking vehicles of the status of state and federal exemptions.
    Last week, Governor Pete Ricketts issued a rescission of several executive orders that were  part of Nebraska’s response to the pandemic.
    With that rescission, state statutes related to the trucking industry, such as weight regulations, are now back in effect.
    The State Patrol’s Carrier Enforcement Division will be working cooperatively with the trucking industry and drivers in the transitional period.
    While Nebraska regulations come back into place, emergency measures authorized by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration remain.
    The FMCSA Emergency Declaration exemption is limited to:
    Livestock and livestock feed.
    Medical supplies and equipment related to testing, diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19.
    Vaccines, constituent products and medical supplies and equipment including ancillary supplies/kits for the administration of vaccines, related to the prevention of COVID-19.
    Supplies and equipment necessary for community safety, sanitation and prevention of community transmission of COVID-19, such as masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, soap and disinfectants.
    Food, paper products and other groceries for emergency restocking of distribution centers or stores.
     According to the FMCSA order, the exemption does not include non-emergency transportation of any of the goods listed above.
    “The trucking industry has been immeasurably vital during the pandemic,” said Captain Dan Doggett, NSP Carrier Enforcement Division Commander.
    “From hauling PPE, to cleaning supplies, to food and eventually vaccine shipments, our partners in the trucking industry have been a big part of getting through the pandemic,” he said.