The Western States Trucking Association (WSTA) and its sister companies (AADT, AAAC, WSTA-IS etc.) is urging the trucking industry to “take a cautious response” to the coronavirus or COVID-19 outbreak.
The rapid growth of COVID-19 cases continues to create turbulence in the global economy and in domestic financial markets. One good thing is that the price of fuel, especially diesel, has dropped although in California due to the highest taxes in the U.S., this windfall does not translate to much relief for those doing business here.
WSTA will continue to monitor the transportation market for negative macroeconomic impacts on the demand for trucking as well as the supply chain impacts that could adversely affect the cost of everything that is transported by trucks, rail and shipping in the coming months and quarters.
This is all in response to California Governor, Gavin Newsom declaring a state of emergency on March 4, after the state’s first death connected to coronavirus. As of March 11, the U.S. had 1,109 cases in 35 states. There are now 31 reported deaths and 15 recoveries throughout the U.S. California reported more than 160 confirmed cases across 17 counties. Over 24,000 Californians are in self-quarantine. There are many website to visit to get the latest information, here is just one: https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/us/
Also, on March 4, WSTA heeding the governor’s declaration announced that it will cancel the March 14th Board Meeting, and will only be hosting the WSTA Executive Committee (EC) meeting in the Upland office on the 13th. Those on the EC and our legal counsel/lobby from NorCal will be conferencing into the WSTA Upland-based office meeting via conferencing software services.
WSTA will be announcing decisions about additional upcoming events and industry changes as they are made in the coming weeks and months.
Please be responsible if you are in any way affected, stay home, self-quarantine is something that we should all take seriously if and when prescribed.
