On March 19th, PA Governor Tom Wolf ordered all non-essential businesses in Pennsylvania to close physical locations in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. As of March 30, 2020, Pennsylvania has 4,843 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 63 deaths.
Here at Blue Eagle Logistics, we are proud to be working in compliance with government regulations to slow the spread of this dangerous virus. As a providers of a critical service, we understand the gravity of the situation and want our customers to know we are taking all precautions.
However, we understand that there are many questions about essential or critical businesses.
What is an essential business?
According to the US Department of Homeland Security, “there are 16 critical infrastructure sectors whose assets, systems, and networks, whether physical or virtual, are considered so vital to the United States that their incapacitation or destruction would have a debilitating effect on security, national economic security, national public health or safety, or any combination thereof.”
The state of Pennsylvania has listed life-sustaining businesses here.
Simply put, an essential business is one engaged in life-sustaining activities. For example, hospitals, medical supply companies, pharmaceutical companies, grocers, consumer staples, and transportation companies would all be defined as essential businesses during this time.
What is a non-essential business?
Non-essential businesses are broadly defined as those not involved in life-sustaining activities.
If you are a non-essential business continuing to operate on-site, we encourage you to consider the risk of spreading the virus to your employees, your customers, and your vendors.
What Blue Eagle Logistics is doing during this critical period.
As an essential business, we understand the necessity of social distancing–you can learn more about social distancing here. Until further notice, our driver and warehouse team staff are collecting the names from recipients “verbally and at a distance.” POD information will be printed on the Bill of Lading.
Essential businesses accepting freight: Here’s what you can do.
Consider accommodations for truck drivers who continue moving the freight important and critical to you. Please allow them access to restrooms and coffee. Remember that these drivers are making sure critical and essential goods continue to move in the United States during these unprecedented times and they have limited access to food, restrooms, and rest areas.
Remember, we’re in this together!
Here at Blue Eagle Logistics, we are committed to our customers and our duty. And we thank all of you who work in the face of great risk in order to keep America moving. Your presence is inspiring!