RI Truckers Call For State To Reopen Immediately: Coronavirus

PROVIDENCE, RI — Rhode Island's Trucking Association is calling for Gov. Gina Raimondo to reopen the state's economy immediately, rather than waiting fora decrease in cases of the new coronavirus and the end of the current stay-at-home order, in place until May 8.

The governor has repeatedly said that things will not go back to the way they were before the pandemic, saying there will be a "new normal" that includes limits on gatherings and social distancing requirements until a therapy or vaccine is developed.

The trucking industry, while not entirely shut down by the pandemic, "has a unique position and voice as Rhode Island looks to re-open," the organization said in a statement, because it interacts with nearly all industries in the state.

"The governor has said that she doesn't know what regulations will be issued to allow businesses to re-open," Rhode Island Trucking Association President Chris Maxwell said. "This is quickly and easily fulfilled: the state simply need to tell all businesses to follow the manufacturers' lead and take the same pledge that was exclusively afforded to this sector many weeks ago."

The pledge applies to manufacturing facilities that were exempted from the statewide shutdown, the organization said. These industries were required to take a pledge to follow public health guidelines set forth by the Rhode Island Department of Health. The association called for all businesses to be allowed to take this pledge and immediately reopen with safety protocols in place.

"Our members see the bigger picture and want all businesses in the state to flourish," Maxwell said. "Accordingly, RITA respectfully urges that Governor Raimondo immediately grant all shuttered businesses the opportunity to re-open provided they follow the 'manufacturers' model.' Ultimately, all RI businesses and their employees are essential and deserve not to be subjected to what could be viewed as an arbitrary, subjective and preferential order."

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