In this time of the Corona outbreak, the supply of essential goods must be prevented from being compromised. Minister van Nieuwenhuizen writes to the House of Representatives that she is in close contact with the transport sector and is doing her utmost to support them.
The sector says that there are enough products in stock and that it can handle the supply. It is however possible that practical problems arise when supplying shops, as a result of which supermarkets become empty more quickly.
longer on the road or outside regular times
To prevent this, it may mean that transporters have to drive more and sometimes longer. It may therefore be the case that drivers are on the road a little longer or have to supply a supermarket outside regular times, for example in the evening. This can jeopardize the daily and / or weekly rest of drivers. The temporary flexibility of some parts of the driving and rest times scheme provides space for the sector, so that the supply of these essential products remains in order.
This is a proportional measure that the sector needs. This means a temporarily more flexible regime on specific parts of the driving and rest times rules. Specifically, this concerns an increase in the daily driving time limit from 9 to 11 hours; an increase in the weekly driving time limit from 56 hours to 60 hours; and an increase in the fortnightly total driving time limit from 90 to 96 hours. Another change concerns the weekly rest period.
At this time, a weekly rest period must begin no later than six days after the end of the last weekly rest. I'll take this to seven days. The derogation will be retroactive from March 14, 2020 to April 6, 2020.
professions that are crucial for the cabinet
This change only applies to professions that have been identified as crucial by the Cabinet. An explicit condition that is set in this context is that the road safety of drivers and road users, as well as the social conditions of the drivers, must not be compromised. It makes a difference that less traffic is expected on Dutch roads in the coming weeks.
Increasing driving and rest times gives the sector more options to keep the supply of essential products in order. It may also help that municipalities extend their window times for supplying supermarkets.
That is why the Minister has also raised the importance of opening up window times more widely to the VNG. These measures, which she is taking together with the Secretary of State for Social Affairs and Employment, will speed up the supply of shops and allow us to continue to have access to essential goods.
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