An uptick in demand for oxygen as the Covid-19 pandemic takes hold has put truck drivers in the frontline of this essential service delivery.
And it’s not easy being alone on the road as the country remains in the grip of self-imposed isolation, says Neil Prakasen, who delivers much-needed oxygen to hospitals.
A driver of 14 years, 12 of which has been with Crossroads, Prakasen’s work load as a cryogenic driver has increased significantly.
And as the pandemic spreads, the need for oxygen at hospitals and quarantine centres is expected to increase.
“Our usual number of oxygen deliveries to hospitals was three a day before lockdown,” said Prakasen.
“It is now up to five a day. But we are coping. Our standards remain the same and we continue to perform to the high safety standards required.”
Road Freight Association (RFA) CEO Gavin Kelly added that “life as a truck driver is challenging at the best of times, but the pressures are even greater now”.
Crossroads CEO Arend du Preez said the company had pulled out all the stops to prepare their drivers for life under lockdown – and that included provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
But being a driver at the frontline of the pandemic is stressful, says Prakasen.
“We cannot see the virus, we cannot feel it, we cannot touch it.”
He is especially fearful of bringing the virus home to his wife, their two children and his father.
Prakasen’s daily routine includes loading his tanker, driving to customers, offloading the oxygen, and signing all the paperwork.”
By drawing the country’s attention to the situation in which drivers like Prakasen find themselves, the RFA is underscoring the vital role that road hauliers play and calling on government to urgently ease restrictions limiting the logistics sector from performing its role.
