OTA has been working with the Quebec Trucking Association (QTA) to clarify information with respect to recently announced Curfews – below are some details:

• Effective Saturday January 9, 2021, the government of Quebec will implement overnight curfews to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.  The curfew is in effect from 8 pm until 5 am until February 8, 2021.
• The curfews will not impact the ability for trucks to operate as trucking is considered an essential service (see FAQ on essential travel).
• Travel required for work, to allow shared custody of children, for family or humanitarian reasons, and travel required for freight transportation will be deemed essential.
• Drivers in their trucks will continue to be allowed to operate as it will be oblivious the driver is conducting an essential service.
• Truck stops and restaurants are allowed to remain open and can provide food, fuel and washroom facilities for drivers.  Government operated rest areas and facilities will also remain open.

Random verifications by authorities may take place for individuals in personal vehicles during curfew hours.  Trucking companies who have individuals using their personal vehicles to travel back and forth to work within Quebec during the curfew hours may wish to carry a copy of an essential worker letter on company letterhead if they do not already have one. The Quebec Trucking Association has provided a link to a sample letter template from the government of Quebec that can be downloaded with standardized text created for this specific purpose. The template allows for company letterhead to be inserted and personalized for the individual.

To download the letter from the government of Quebec in French, click here.   For an English translated version click here.

For complete details of the curfew requirements from the government of Quebec click here.