The decision that local transport companies should use different drivers for each country in which they operate or through which they transit on the way to their final destination to contain the spread of Covid-19 isn’t just a South African issue.
According to Gavin Kelly, CEO of the Road Freight Association (RFA), the idea was based on a response – not a policy – from the Department of Home Affairs in a bid to deal with regional neighbours shutting their borders.
“There is no policy from Home Affairs. They were very clear about that,” said Kelly, who attended a meeting last week where it was recommended that transporters considered using different drivers for each country they entered.
“The closing and slowing down of borders is through each country implementing precautions to stop the spread of the virus.
“These countries are free to do as they please and some have decided to quarantine all persons entering their country while others have decided to require a test.”
Kelly added that it was important to understand that the South African government could neither force them (neighbouring countries) to change their approach nor drop their demands.
“They are in their full right to implement what they see fit.”
Nevertheless, it means that cross-border transport finds itself in a bind.
“It’s the part where we are now stuck,” Kelly said.
“How do we transport freight across a border if the receiving country does not want the drivers to cross?”
Clearing up matters in light of last Friday’s report (*) in Freight News, where the impression was created that Home Affairs had decided to implement a cross-border co-driver response ‘plan’, Kelly indicated it was merely a proposal.
It had been totally rejected by all transporters, he stressed.
* Read the following link for context: https://www.freightnews.co.za/article/home-affairs-moots-multiple-driver-strategy-fight-covid-19