Team drivers Mohammad Asif and Mohammed Abdul Qadir are happy that they have been able to save about five hours on their trip to Texas from Toronto, but they are afraid of contracting the virus despite minimal contacts with other people.

“We obviously have to make a couple of stops. And over there, you know, are so many different people… We don’t know what they are carrying,” said Asif, homeward bound after delivering a load of electronic components.

Little things have changed. Some trucks stops are no longer allowing drivers to prepare their own coffees, for example

“They are not letting us inside. So, we stay outside. Then they make a coffee quickly, and say, ‘Here you go. Thank you.’”

Many truck-stop chains have imposed strict hygiene protocols in the fight against the pandemic, too.

Hygiene is also the main topic of conversation they have with their company.

“We get (frequent) messages from dispatch, ‘Wash your hands every one or two hours for 20 seconds. It is for your own safety and the safety of others.’”

• Coronavirus Chronicles tell the trucking industry’s personal stories from the front lines of Covid-19. They are drawn from the ongoing coverage at www.trucknews.com.