Coronavirus – State Emergency Declarations

We are learning about states closing non-essential businesses every day and we report the details in our Maineline E-Newsletter.  To archive those closures, we have developed this page.  If you know of a state that should be included, please let us know.  Below is a summary of how each state is identifying trucking as ESSENTIAL.


California – The California State Public Health Officer and Director of the California Department of Public Health is ordering all individuals living in the State of California to stay home or at their place of residence. The Executive Order exempts operation of “critical infrastructure sectors”, including transportation and logistics, as outlined in guidance issued by the Department of Homeland Security. Furthermore, the Executive Order explicitly states “the supply chain must continue”.


Connecticut – Governor Ned Lamont has issued a “Stay at Home” executive order, mandating that employees of “non-essential” businesses stay home. Importantly, the trucking industry is considered “essential” and is exempt from the executive order.

MTAC sent us the following notes regarding specific kinds of businesses that are considered essential:

  • essential infrastructure, including utilities, wastewater and drinking water, telecommunications, airports and transportation infrastructure
  • essential retail, including grocery stores and big-box stores or wholesale clubs, provided they also sell groceries
  • essential services including trash and recycling collection, hauling, and processing, mail and shipping services
  • vendors of essential services and goods necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation and essential operations of residences or other essential businesses, including pest control and landscaping services

Delaware – Delaware Gov. John Carney issued a modification to the State of Emergency ordering residents to stay at home whenever possible and closing all non-essential businesses. The order goes into effect Tuesday, March 24, at 8:00 am and remains in effect until May 15 or until the public health threat is eliminated.

Trucking and related businesses are considered essential. A list of essential and non-essential businesses can be found HERE.


Illinois – Governor Pritzker issued a”Stay at Home” Executive Order for most Illinois workers until April 7. As requested by ITA, trucking is expressly exempt from the order.

While trucking is exempt, all workers are still required to practice “Social Distancing” rules as defined in Section 1, Paragraph 15.


Nevada – Governor Sisolak ordered the mandatory closure all non-essential business to slow the spread of the Coronavirus COVID-19. In a press conference he reiterated the essential businesses that can remain open including trucking companies, truck stops and mechanics and other services that are needed to keep our state moving will remain open.

Click HERE for a link to the Declaration of Emergency provided by NTA.


New York – Governor Cuomo has announced that 100% of the workforce must stay home unless considered an essential business. Guidance has been issued to define what is an essential business. Based on TANY internal discussions, trucking and businesses supporting trucking are considered essential despite the vagueness of the guidance.


Ohio – The Director of the Ohio Department of Health enacted a stay at home order for the state to take effect at 11:59 PM on Monday, March 23rd and ends on April 6th. This is not quarantine or a lock down. Under this order the state identified a number of essential businesses that are allowed to still operate:

  • Trucking; Moving and relocation services; Warehousing; Fulfillment centers; Storage facilities; Distribution centers; Highways, railroads, and public transportation; Ports; Truck stops and fueling stations; Repair facilities; Mail, post, shipping, logistics, delivery, and pick up services; Taxis and transportation network providers; Commercial transportation and logistics providers necessary for Essential Activities and other purposes; Supply chain for critical products and industries; Waste Pickup and Disposal.

A full copy of the order is here. FAQ’s can be found here.


Pennsylvania – all non-life-sustaining businesses in Pennsylvania are to close physical locations as of 8 pm yesterday. A list of life-sustaining businesses is here. Trucking is included on list of life sustaining businesses as are support activities for road transportation.