ON – Ministry of Transportation lifts reduced load period in south Ontario to assist with COVID-19 relief efforts

To support Ontario’s need to move essential freight and supplies during the current COVID-19 emergency, the Ministry of Transportation is including the commodities listed for exemption in the federal Hours of Service exemptions as issued by Transport Canada (see below) from reduced load periods across southern Ontario – this includes propane:

• Medical supplies and equipment related to the testing, diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19;
• Supplies and equipment necessary for community safety, sanitation, and prevention of community transmission of COVID-19 such as masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, soap and disinfectants;
• Paper products and other groceries for emergency restocking of distribution centers or stores;
• Immediate precursor raw materials – such as paper, plastic or alcohol – that are required and to be used for the manufacture of items in categories (1), (2) or (3);
• Fuel; and
• Equipment, supplies and persons necessary to establish and manage temporary housing, quarantine, and isolation facilities related to COVID-19.

For complete details and the geographic scope of these provisions, please view: COVID-19 Update – Temp Changes to Reduce Load Period Restrictions public.