Relaxation of drivers’ hours’ regulations stays in force for further a nine weeks in the Netherlands. Lithuania restricted the transportation of goods – borders can only be crossed at designated crossings.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Dutch government temporarily relaxed the rules on drivers’ hours to ensure continuity of the supply chain. This measure has been in force since 14 March and was due to expire on 6 April. However, Transport Minister Cora van Nieuwenhuizen decided to extend it until 1 June.
In the Netherlands, the daily driving limit has been increased from 9 to 11 hours. The weekly driving limit was increased from 56 to 60 hours. The total driving time for two weeks was extended from 90 to 96 hours.
The next change concerns the weekly rest period, which according to the regulations must start no later than six days after the end of the last weekly rest. From mid-March, it is mandatory only after seven days.
The relaxation of regulations applies to the following transportation
– agricultural products and live animals,
– food and feed,
– crude oil and petroleum products,
– medicines and pharmaceutical products,
– perfumery and cleaning products.
Lithuanian border crossings for the transportation of goods
From midnight 3 April, persons employed in the transport of goods (company employees and drivers) may only cross borders in the following places:
– the border with Poland: Kalvarija – Budzisko, Lazdijai-Ogrodniki,
– with Latvia: Būtingė – Rucava, Saločiai – Grenstalė, Smėlynė – Medumi,
– with Belarus: Medininkai – Kamenyj Log, Šalčininkai – Beniakonie, Raigardas – Priwałka
– with Russia: Kybartai – Czernyszewskoje, Panemunė – Sovetsk.
Border crossings for rail transport:
– Stasylos-Beniakonie,
– Pagėgiai-Sovetsk,
– Joniškis-Meitenė,
– Turmantas-Kurcums,
– Kybartai-Nesterow.
Lower Saxony allows night deliveries
Lower Saxony’s Minister of the Environment, Olaf Lies, gave the green light to the supply of goods to be traded at night. This step complements the relaxation of truck bans on Sundays and holidays.
The minister issued special instructions in a letter to all municipalities, towns, cities, construction supervision authorities and state trade supervision offices. The relaxation allows the noise emission standards to be exceeded at night to ensure supply chain continuity.
Coronavirus crisis is a huge challenge for the logistics of retail companies to ensure the supply of everyday goods to the public. Functioning supply chains are therefore essential – even at unusual times of the day, „explains Lies.