IRU has called on the World Health Organization and national governments to introduce urgently a global mutually recognised digital vaccination certificate for lorry drivers and coach drivers.
In a statement, the International Road Transport Union also called on governments across the globe to prioritise commercial drivers in their national vaccination programmes. It says that uncoordinated action by governments and chaotic COVID-19 testing and vaccination schemes are “endangering drivers, mobility networks and supply chains”.
In addition, the IRU says it is concerned by professional drivers still being caught in long queues at makeshift roadside test centres, which in turn puts them at a higher risk of contracting COVID-19 than in their usual protected working environment in their vehicles. On top of that, the IRU believes long waiting times at borders are continuing to to lead to unnecessary disruptions to supply chains and mobility networks.
Commenting on the situation, IRU Secretary General Umberto de Pretto, stressed the need for a mutually recognisable digital vaccine certificate to be made available to lorry drivers as soon as possible:
Drivers have worked tirelessly through the pandemic to keep people and goods moving, despite often pointless restrictions at borders. They are essential workers and need priority access to vaccines. The WHO needs to put in place a global framework for a mutually recognisable digital vaccine certificate as soon as possible to allow cross border commercial drivers to be able to continue doing their vital jobs.
Photo credit @ Pixinio/Bicanski CC0