The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration extended relief from federal hours-of-service regulations for truckers hauling essential Covid 19 supplies to the end of this year.

FMCSA cited continuing public health concerns about the Covid pandemic and continuing supply chain issues. The most recent deadline for the exemption had been the end of May.

FMCSA said it is continuing the exemption, “because the presidentially declared emergency remains in place, persistent issues arising out of Covid 19 continue to affect the U.S. including impacts on supply chains, and nationwide reporting continues to demonstrate substantial ongoing use of the regulatory relief.”

The extended declaration also was modified to include transportation of:

• Livestock and livestock feed.
• Medical supplies and equipment related to Covid testing, diagnosis and treatment.
• Vaccines, constituent products and medical supplies and equipment, including ancillary supplies/kits for administering vaccines.
• Supplies and equipment needed for community safety, sanitation and prevention, such as masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, soap and disinfectants;
• Food, paper products and groceries for emergency restocking of DCs or stores.
• Gasoline, diesel, diesel exhaust fluid (used to make diesel fuel) and jet fuel.

FMCSA amended the emergency declaration to address fuel needs arising from the emergency and to broaden the categories of fuel shipments covered. Many of the shipments have suffered from poor railroad service. “Currently the production and transport of these fuels is significantly impacted by the effects of the Covid 19 national emergency so no demonstration is required,” the agency said.