Italy issued guidelines to limit the spread of COVID-19 in transport and logistics

On Friday, the Italian Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure issued a regulatory protocol to limit the spread of COVID-19 in the transport and logistics sector. Below is a list of precautions to be taken with regard to transports to Italy.

The document published by the Italian Ministry of Transport is addressed, among others, to workers in road freight transport (as well as air freight transport, public road and rail transport, etc.) and supplements the government protocol of 14 March 2020.

According to the act of 14 March, the means of transport must be disinfected in the manner laid down in circulars of the Ministry of Health (in particular Circular 5443 of 22 February 2020) and the Italian Sanitary Authority.

The protocol of 20 March provides for the following requirements: 

– If possible, drivers should remain in their vehicles if they are not wearing gloves and masks.

– In any case, the vehicle can access the loading/unloading area, even if the driver does not have personal protective equipment, as long as he does not get out of the vehicle or is not within one metre of other employees.

– At loading/unloading areas, care must be taken to ensure that the necessary steps during loading/unloading of goods and receipt/delivery of documents are carried out without direct contact between the driver and staff or while maintaining a distance of at least 1 metre.

 – Access to the offices of companies other than one’s own is strictly prohibited. The exception to this is the use of a toilet, to which the manager of the loading/unloading areas must guarantee access. In addition, he must ensure that the lavatories are properly cleaned daily and equipped with hand disinfectant gel.

– Deliveries of parcels, documents and other types of express goods are permitted, but without direct contact with the recipient.

– In the case of home deliveries, including those made by couriers, the goods can only be delivered without contact with the recipient and without a signature confirming the delivery. If this is not possible, masks and gloves must be used.

– If it is necessary to work less than one metre away from another person and other organisational solutions are not possible, masks must be used both indoors and outdoors.