1. Nº 32. 20 Madrid, 12 de marzo de 20 20 DO CUMENTACIÓN SOBRE PROTECCIÓN AL SECTOR
3. presidente que es de la CE y se pueden resumir como sigue: La protección del conductor incluye acciones tales como la promulgación de procedimientos estándar para mejorar el acceso de los conductores al equipo de protección, en relación con la carga y descarga segura de mercancías (en particular en áreas afectadas por la cuarentena), con respecto a los documentos que los conductores deben llevar para demostrar el cumplimiento de las normas de salud, como así alentar a los Estados miembros a establecer regímenes nacionales de desempleo temporal / técnico para los trabajadores del transporte por carretera. La libre circulación de bienes y personas incluye medidas relacionadas con: Información: como permitir la difusión efectiva de información clara y transparente en varios idiomas, así como recomendar a los Estados miembros y las empresas que sean proporcionales en las medidas adicionales que toman y brinden información anticipada transparente a sus proveedores de servicios; Diálogo entre los Estados miembros y con la industria: evitar medidas unilaterales que creen el bloqueo de facto del transporte transfronterizo; No hay medidas de aislamiento sin un plan de respaldo: incluye la adopción de procedimientos transparentes y bien difundidos con respecto al tratamiento del vehículo y la carga / pasajeros cuando el conductor se pone en cuarentena; y Levantamiento de las prohibiciones de tránsito: la C E debería solicitar a los Estados miembros que consideren el levantamiento de las prohibiciones de tránsito (incluidas las prohibiciones regulares como las prohibiciones de fin de semana) para evitar que los conductores y vehículos comerciales sean bloqueados en áreas en cuarentena. Apoyo financiero : en situaciones de crisis anteriores, la CE emitió recomendaciones a los Estados miembros sobre medidas de apoyo para la industria. Esto es muy necesario ahora. Las medidas de apoyo no discriminatorias deberían dirigirse a todos los modos de transporte y, en el caso del transporte de
4. mercancías, a toda la cadena logística. Para beneficiar a toda la industria y no solo a ciertos operadores, estas medidas deben evaluarse cuidadosamente. En el anexo de la carta adjunta se proporciona una lista no exhaustiva de medidas que podrían preverse. C/ Príncipe de Vergara, 74, 3 planta - 28006 MADRID Tlf.: 91 451 48 01 / 07 – Fax: 91 395 28 23 E-mail: astic@astic.net Nota: Prohibida la edición, distribución y puesta en red, total o parcial, de esta información si n la autorización de A ST IC
8. 2 − Encourage increased dialogue with industry representatives to develop common solutions to challenges. • No seclusion measures without a back-up plan: Transparent and well communicated procedures should be put in place regarding the treatment of the vehicle and cargo/passengers when the driver is put in quarantine based on the overarching principle that immobilisation of vehicle should be avoided. For example, several Member States introduced temperature control at customs or road-side inspections. We have information that truck drivers have been quarantined without clear visibility on the fate of the vehicle. • Lifting of traffic bans : Ask Member States to consider lifting of traffic bans (including regular bans such as weekend bans) in order to avoid drivers and commercial vehicles being blocked in quarantined areas. As a general measure, when quarantine is envisaged, Member States should be encouraged to facilitate the return to home base of all commercial vehicles, specifically, in respect of goods transport, secure the flow of goods, in particular, perishable goods and vital supplies. Financial support In previous crisis situations, the Commission issued recommendations t o Member States on support measures for the industry. This is highly necessary now. In line with the Commission’s recommendation in the context of the ash cloud crisis , the Commission should invite Member States to start by considering support measures which do not constitute State aid, such as loans and guarantees granted at market conditions. Certain support measures could also be envisaged as State aid from Member States to make good the damage caused by an exceptional occurrence such as COVID19 health crisis. If support from Member States takes the form of state aid measures, the Commission shall remind Member States that it must be granted on the basis of uniform criteria established at EU level. It cannot be used to allow unfair as sistance to companies which is not directly related to the crisis. The Commission could produce a communication to establish clear and precise guidance in this regard. Non-discriminatory support measures should be targeted to support all transport modes an d, in the case of goods transport, the entire logistics chain. These could include, inter alia: − Deferment of taxes, charges an duties and social contributions; − Financial support to businesses for the rescheduling of paybacks of invest ment loans and mortgages with banks and financial institutions; − In the specific case of road, consider temporary reduction of rates for road user charges and external costs. Introduce a professional fuel price which allows co mmercial transport to temporarily benefit from reduced fuel prices; − Suspend the obligation for transport operators to compensate their customers in case of delays and cancellation, both in passenger transport and in the logis tics chain if caused by developments in the Corona virus; and − Introduce a wider range of deductions from taxes of the purchase of certain products and services (eg. Products and services to increase the hygiene of staff and reduce the spread of the virus).
2. Nº 32. 20 Madrid, 12 de marzo de 20 20 DO CUMENTACIÓN SOBRE PROTECCIÓN AL SECTOR Además de la información que le enviamos ayer relativa a las necesidades de protección especial que, desde esta asociación, se han hecho llegar al Gobierno de España, a las que hay que añadir la petición de suspender las restricciones a la circulación, especialmente las temporales -como domingos y otros festivos, por ejemplo- desde IRU también se ha hecho una labor similar frente a la Comisión Europea. Creemos que, en efecto, la CE puede apoyar eficazmente al sector del transporte mediante acciones dirigidas a tres áreas principales, como: Protección del conductor; Libre circulación de bienes y personas; y Apoyo financiero. ESTA “DOCUMENTACIÓN” PUEDE SER UTILIZADA EN LAS MÁS QUE PROBABLES DISCUSIONES SOBRE LA CARGA Y DESCARGA QUE PUEDAN SURGIR ENTRE SU EMPRESA Y LOS CLIENTES, PARA DEMOSTRAR QUE NO ES UNA OCURRENCIA SUYA COMO EMPRESA DE TRANSPORTE SINO UNA MEDIDA QUE SE ESTÁ BARAJANDO PARA SER APLICADA EN ESPAÑA Y EN TODA EUROPA, COMO DEL MISMO MODO, POR EJEMPLO, ANTE AQUELLOS CARGADORES QUE EXIJAN QUE LOS CONDUCTORES UTILICEN YA EQUIPOS DE PROTECCIÓN INDIVIDUAL CUANDO EN REALIDAD EL SUMINISTRO DE ELLOS RESULTA IMPOSIBLE EN CASI TODO EL TERRITORIO SIN EL APOYO DECIDIDO DE LAS AUTORIDADES, TAL COMO SE ESTÁ SOLICITANDO. Las acciones necesarias se describen con más detalle en el anexo de la carta remitida desde la delegación de Bruselas de IRU a la Sra. Ursula von der Leyen como
7. Annex 1 AD / BR 1047864/RMA 11.03.2020 Action needed to mitigate impact of Coronavirus measures on transport industry Action pertaining to the protection of driver Drivers are at risk and are afraid to drive. Employers are concerned to let drivers drive without protection. This is a simple reality which can be changed by action. Drivers need protection equipment at loading and unloading points, at customs and poli ce road side checks. However, such equipment can hardly be found on the market. This places drivers in a de fac to impossible position to perform their duties. The Commission should encourage Member States to s et up standard procedures and clear information which enable drivers to have easy access to: − Respirators and antibacterial protection; and − Self-check tests for Coronavirus as a first step in the virus detection for them and their families. We are also asking the Commission to issue clear guidelines for (i) the loading and unloading of goods in affected and quarantined areas; and (ii) the handling of the vehicle between trips (e.g., in particular in public transport and taxi transport, good ventilation of the vehicle after each trip (open the doors); disi nfect/clean the steering wheel with disinfectant gel). The Commission should also recommend Member States what documents should be required from drivers to demonstrate compliance with health rules to avoid the current inconsistencies and involuntary non- co mpliance. It should also be noticed that requirements such as showing negative results of very recent Coronavirus tests imposed to professional drivers, in particular on pan-EU routes, are simply not practicable. It is estimated that the crisis caused by Coronavirus will cause significan t temporary unemployment of drivers. The Commission should ask Member States to consider national regimes for temporary/technical unemployment for road transport workers. Actions pertaining to traffic facilitation We divided traffic facilitation action in three sub-areas. We ask the Commission to recommend or require Member States to take the following actions: • Information: − Information on measures adopted by Member States : Issue clear and transparent information in several languages, easily accessible, and avoid contradictory information. The information should also be communicated to all other EU Member States who can transmit such information to carriers originating in those countries. In addition, the Commission should take the initiative of an information campaign. Same information arriving from various channels has mor e opportunities to be well received. − Information on measures adopted by private businesses : In addition to measures adopted by Member States, companies also adopt own safety measures. While this is fully understandable, it increases the level of uncertainty and creates additional barriers if disproportionate and not well communicated in advance. Member States should recommend businesses to be proportionate in the additional measures they take and provide transparent, advance information to their service providers (such as transporters). • Dialogue between Member States and with industry : − Avoid taking unilateral measures which can have a negative impact on cross- border transport. Continue cross-border dialogue between governments and authorities to avoid conflicting/contradictory measures.
6. 2 PASSENGER TRASPORT: The most affected segment of passenger transport to date is international traffi c and in particular coach tourism. However, other segments such as urban public transport and taxis are also affected. Trips are currently cancelled for the upcoming months and even cancelled for th e summer months. To date, we have no global figures to estimate the impact on passenger transport. However, in the coach tourism segment, assuming a decrease of 50% in demand on a yearly basis, the financial los s would account to about EUR 5 to 7bil in 2020 . Actions needed On a general note, the Commission has already issued recommendations for ports and airports. IRU is asking for recommendations on other modes of transport as well, including commercial road transport. Bus and coach terminals and loading and unloading points for freight (more generally, and not limi ted to ports) are the equivalent of ports and airports for road passenger transport and road freight, respectively. The Commission can effectively support the transport sector by actions targeting thr ee main areas, as follows: − Protection of driver; − Free movement of goods and people; and − Financial support. The actions needed are described in brief below and in more detail in the annex to this letter. Protection of drive r includes actions such as enacting standard procedures regrading drivers’ access to protection equipment, regarding safe loading and unloading of goods (in particular in areas affected by quarantine), regarding the documents drivers have to carry to demonstrate compliance with he alth rules, as well as encouragement of Member States to set in place national regimes for temporary/te chnical unemployment for road transport workers. Free movement of goods and people includes measures related to: − Information : su ch as enabling effective dissemination of clear and transparent information in several languages, as well as recommending Member States and businesses to be proportionat e in the additional measures they take and provide transparent advance information to their s ervice providers; − Dialogue between Member States and with industry : to avoid unilateral measures creating de facto blockage of cross-border transport; − No seclusion measures without a back-up plan: includes adoption of transparent and well disseminat ed procedures regarding the treatment of the vehicle and cargo/passengers when the driver is put in quarantine; and − Lift of traffic bans: the Commission should ask Member States to consid er lifting of traffic bans (including regular bans such as weekend bans) in order to avoid drivers and commercial vehicles being blocked in quarantined areas. Financial support: In previous crisis situations, the Commission issued recommendations to Member States on support measures for the industry. This is highly necessary now. Non-dis criminatory support measures should be targeted to all transport modes and, in the case of goods transport, the enti re logistics chain. In order to benefit the entire industry and not only certain operators, these measures have to be carefully assessed. In the annex hereof we provide a non-exhaustive list of measures which could be envisaged. To avoid massive disruption of EU economy, we ask the Commission to embrace a more proactive role to coordinate Member State measures and provide guidelines and recommendations. We are ready to cooperate with the Commission and are already in touch with DG MOVE on the Coronavirus topic. However, as there are several Commission services dealing with the current health crisis, we beli eve that your leadership is key for a successful outcome. We count on your support. Yours sincerely, Raluca Marian General Delegate of the Permanent Delegation to the EU, IRU
5. Ursula von der Leyen President E U Commission Rue de la Loi, 200 B-1049 Brussels BELGIUM Email : ec -president-vdl@ec.europa.eu Cc: Adina Vălean , Transport Commissioner AD / BR 1047864/RMA Brussels , 11 March 2020 CALL TO SUPPORT CONTINUITY OF SUPPLY CHAINS AND PEOPLE MOBILITY Dear Ms. von der Leyen, The EU is facing an unprecedented crisis caused by the Coronavirus. A cr isis which took Europe by surprise and found itself unprepared. Several EU governments have implemented bans against travell ers in the last 14 days. Bans and accompanying rules have created a patchwork of national requi rements, often challenging to implement. Europe needs the Commission’s intervention to minimise the economic imp act of the restrictions related to Coronavirus . The IRU is the voice of commercial road transport operators. Our members move goods and peo ple throughout the EU. Free movement is the engine of the EU economy. The spread of the Coronavirus and related measures are already causing massive discontinuity in the movement of goods and people. Unless the Commission takes the lead by energetic action, there is a high risk of unprecedented shortage in supplies , including vital supplies . Road freight transport directly generates about 2% of EU GDP, with an estimated turnover of about EUR 330bil. In the people mobility segment, discontinuity in pan-EU passenger transport will b e a major hit for the EU tourism industry , which directly generates about 4% of EU GDP. By means of this letter we would like to provide you with a preliminary overview of the impact the Coronavirus crisis is estimated to have on the EU transport sector in 2 020 , and suggest a few concrete measures that the Commission can take to support the economy in these critical times . Above all, we would like the Commission to transmit a message to Member States to carefull y consider and mitigate the impact of the restrictions they adopt on supply chains and r elated cargo movements. Supply chains play a pivotal role in ensuring that time-critical shipments, whether life -saving medical supplies, pieces for urgent repairs, foodstuff, or inputs into global supply chains, reach their destinations s afe ly and timely. Overview of the consequences of the Coronavirus measures The economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak on the European transport industry is difficult to assess as we are at the very beginning of the spread of the virus in the EU. However, on the basis of the information collected so far , we can share the following: FREIGHT: Only on the basis of the dramatic fall in intercontinental shipments, we c an already estimate a loss of EU freight carriers ’ revenues of about EUR 10bil in 2020 . We cannot precisely assess the impact on freight of the restrictive measures that are increasingly being adopted by EU Member States. The rise in restrictive measures and even potential border closure will amplify the impact on the freight industry. In a pessimistic scenario, loss of revenues of EU freight carriers could even amount to about EUR 60bil in 2020. Reduction in road freight will implicitly result in shortage of supplies.