For nearly three months the COVID-19 pandemic has ravaged our country and many other countries all over the world, resulting in several deaths, hospitalizations, and closed businesses and schools. It’s also forced us to adjust to a new way of living with government-issued stay-at-home orders.
This unprecedented situation also has led to a tremendous surge in demand for goods across the country, from medical supplies to food to personal items. On a national scale, the demand for goods has risen sharply, up 16.5 percent over last year.
Professional truck drivers at Veltri, Inc. and those across the country are on the front lines of this global pandemic, delivering essential supplies to homes, businesses, hospitals, manufacturers, stores and communities.
It’s important that they know how to protect themselves and others. Veltri, Inc. is following all guidelines as outlined by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as all state and federal mandates.
In addition to providing hazardous pay to its drivers, Veltri, Inc. is ensuring drivers have the supplies they need, including:
- Cotton washable masks (we have a seamstress producing them)
- Cotton washable gloves
- Providing cleaning products to all our drivers
- Disinfectant/hand sanitizer
- Providing regular coaching on how to stay safe
- Practicing social distancing
- Practicing safe hygiene practices
The offices at Veltri, Inc. are currently closed, but we are continuing to provide support to our team with phone, Zoom, FaceTime, and on-site visits to our drivers.
In addition, the American Trucking Associations (ATA), in partnership with Protective Insurance Company, recently distributed 55-gallon drums of hand sanitizer to various locations along major freight corridors. Drivers will be able to use these drums, at no cost, to refill their own personal supply bottles. The ATA will also distribute 100,000 face coverings to drivers and fleets.
More COVID-19 Testing Resources
The ATA is working to protect drivers and the general public. They have joined several other industry groups requesting that federal agencies increase access to testing for frontline workers providing essential services. In a recent letter to Vice President Mike Pence, the groups said:
“We support prioritizing the healthcare sector for COVID-19 testing supplies, and as testing becomes more available and abundant, the undersigned organizations urge the federal government to provide COVID-19 testing resources to U.S. employers that are engaged in essential business services. Increased access to COVID-19 testing for our workforce will help flatten the curve by removing people with coronavirus from the workplace and better ensure the safety and health of employees who are maintaining operations during this pandemic.”
As many as 25 percent of people infected with COVID-19 may not even display symptoms, but can still spread the disease. A lack of easily accessible COVID-19 testing means that our drivers may unknowingly arrive to work and spread the disease to their co-workers and the public.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently expanded its list of possible symptoms associated with exposure to coronavirus. People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. The following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Chills
- Repeated shaking with chills
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell
Why Work for Veltri, Inc.?
Family-owned and operated for more than 40 years, Veltri, Inc. is proud to provide regional trucking services in southeastern Pennsylvania, central and southern New Jersey and Delaware. Our mission is to provide superior service to our customers and a safe, fulfilling work environment for our employees while adhering to the highest safety and ecological standards in the industry.
Our dedicated truck drivers are seasoned and well-trained, and we are proud of our driver retention rate (six-year average). We offer competitive pay, a comprehensive benefit package and our drivers are home every night.
Do you want to join one of the best trucking companies in the country? Apply here today.