HERE WE GO AGAIN, boys and girls: Another Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) for Metro Manila is on its way, taking effect this Friday, August 6, and will end hopefully on August 20. It’s a necessary action after we just detected 97 cases of the Delta variant of the COVID-19 inside the country as of July 29.
So, how will this ‘strictest’ ECQ affect trucking and its related industries? There’s good news and bad news:
Good News: Lighter traffic buildups in major roads
Yep, the ECQ won’t be that bad for truckers. With most people once again inside their homes, you will see less movement on most major roads. EDSA will once again feel like a freeway on a good day. Deliveries will be faster without the usual heavy traffic in Metro Manila.
Bad News: Heavier traffic buildups around checkpoints
It’s not all sunshine and rainbows, of course. You will see heavier traffic buildups around checkpoints as authorities will be keen on discriminating between Authorized Persons Outside Residence (APOR) and non-APOR.
Good News: Trucking is allowed with full on-site capacity
Truckers are essential workers; you are frontliners. You keep the money and the whole economy going despite the lockdowns.
Based on the Omnibus Guidelines for the Implementation of Community Quarantine made by the government, logistics service providers like delivery services, cargo handling, trucking, and freight forwarding are allowed full on-site capacity.
BREAKING NEWS: Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will lift the truck ban under ECQ for a smoother flow of essential goods to Metro Manila as per its chairman Benhur Abalos.
Bad News: Other industries connected to trucking are allowed with less on-site capacity
Other industries that are somehow related to trucking are only allowed an on-site skeleton workforce. One of these industries is the energy sector which includes the delivery of petroleum products from plants to gas stations. Airlines are also only allowed a skeleton workforce so truckers should not expect much airfreight cargo for delivery. Printing establishments will also operate with a less on-site workforce.
Good News: Truck Servicing Establishments are allowed to operate
According to the guidelines published by the Philippine government, establishments that engage in the repair and maintenance of motorized vehicles are allowed to operate under ECQ. So, you will be able to have your trucks serviced and buy spare parts to give it the love and care it deserves.
Bad News: Truck Servicing Establishments will operate under a skeleton workforce
Truck servicing centers will be open under ECQ but with only a skeleton workforce on site. This may mean that you have to wait in the queue for your truck’s turn to get serviced.
Autokid Truck Solutions will operate with a skeleton workforce in its branches placed in areas under Enhanced Community Quarantine. For inquiries, give us a call or text at +639176530000.
