Empty shelves are becoming a common sight at grocery stores nationwide.
The CEO of the Nevada Trucking Association, Paul Enos said, "everybody going out there and panic buying, that's what's creating a strain in the supply chain."
Enos says Nevada receives 92% of its freight by truck, but the trucking industry is facing challenges as consumer demand spikes.
"We thought last week we saw traffic pick up 20 to 30 percent. Taking a look at what happened over the weekend, we saw a 60% increase of consumer demand from what is normal. And that's a tough thing to keep up with."
However, amid coronavirus concerns Enos says it will continue working hard to bring the community supplies it needs.
Enos wants to assure people that there is no shortage of food or supplies, it's just a matter of getting goods delivered.
One issue drivers have been facing is getting over the pass, especially with the recent winter storm.
"It seems every time there's a storm CalTrans now shuts it down. I'd love it if they just shut it down to 4-wheel traffic and let the trucks come through because trucking is so essential to every facet of the economy." said Enos when asked about the I-80 closure over the weekend.
In response to the nationwide concerns over the corona virus, U.S. highway-safety regulators are suspending rules that limit daily driving hours for truck drivers moving emergency supplies such as medical equipment, hand sanitizer and food.
The Transportation Department’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced the nationwide exemption late Friday, following President Trump’s declaration of a national emergency over the pandemic.
Although the Nevada Trucking Association goal is to deliver to areas faster and more efficiently, it says safety for its drivers is still a top priority.
"If a truck driver says he's tired, we have to give him 10 hours off so they can get some rest before they get back onto the road and move that 92% of the goods that we rely on in the silver state." said Enos.
The City of Sparks is also temporarily suspending restrictions on delivery hours to local businesses. Through at least April 30, the City is encouraging local retailers, suppliers, vendors and logistics companies to use this operational flexibility to replenish their inventories as best as they can.
"Our goal is to help business in Sparks receive deliveries as quickly and efficiently as they can, reduce detention time for shipping companies so that they can get on to their next stop, and get shelves in Sparks filled with the products on which our citizens rely," said Mayor Ron Smith
Enos says there is a shortage of truck drivers, however, because the industry is so diverse, it's being impacted in different ways. Following Governor Steve Sisolak's order to close all nonessential businesses in Nevada, a part of the trucking industry that supplies airlines, hotels and casinos are struggling. However the other half is working over time.
Truck drivers 2 News spoke with say it's become a challenge to deliver items to businesses that are closed. Some truck drivers are also having a hard time buying items that are out of stock, while they're on the go. Others add that trying to find a warm meal has become a problem.
"With everything shutting down and a lot of fast food places and stuff having to be drive-thru, it makes it kind of difficult to get those meals outside of the truck," said truck driver Chris Edgar. The Idaho resident also says working in the industry could put him at a higher risk of contracting COVID-19. The job requires that drivers touch shipment that comes from all around the world, they also travel a lot and interact with people everyday, when lawmakers are recommending that people stay at home.
But Edgar says the job still has to get done.
"If those of us that do this, that love this profession and this job weren't out here doing it then the country wouldn't have the things it needs," said Edgar.
As stores wait to be re-stocked, people in the truck industry are reminding people to only buy what you need, don't panic, and be patient.
