Belgium

09.04.2020

Belgium has agreed to a temporary and limited relaxation of the enforcement of driving and rest times for all drivers of vehicles active in the transport of goods. This relaxation is granted pursuant to Article 14(2) of the EU Regulation 561⁄2006.This temporary relaxation applies from 26/03/2020 and will run until 25/04/2020. It will apply to those drivers involved in the delivery of goods, both domestically and internationally. The following provisions will be temporarily relaxed as follows:

-      derogation to the Article 8(8) of Regulation 561/2006: suspension of the ban on drivers spending their normal weekly rest period in the vehicle cabin.

In addition to this, general derogation and specific derogations for essential transport have been put into place. Belgium has agreed to a temporary and limited relaxation of the enforcement of driving and rest times for all drivers of vehicles active in the complete supply chain for the transport of essential goods and medication. This relaxation is granted pursuant to Article 14(2) of the EU Regulation 561⁄2006. This temporary relaxation applies from 01/04/2020 and will run until 30/04/2020. It will apply to those drivers involved in the delivery of goods domestically and internationally. The following provisions will be temporarily relaxed as follows:

-      derogation to the Article 6(2) of Regulation 561/2006: replacement of the maximum weekly driving limit of 56 hours to 60 hours;

-      derogation to the Article 6(3) of Regulation 561/2006: replacement of the maximum fortnightly driving limit of 90 hours to 96 hours;

-      derogation to the Article 8(6) of Regulation 561/2006: postponement of a weekly rest period beyond six-24 hours period;

-      derogation to the Article 8(6): reduction of the regular weekly rest period from 45 hours to 24 hours without any compensation.

Source: FEBETRA

Employers' federations and trade unions in the Belgian road haulage sector and logistics service providers for third parties have made a joint call on all those involved to ensure, to the extent possible, the protection of all those in the haulage and logistics industry who are working during the COVID-19 pandemic. The call relates to stringently respecting all current measures in place regarding general hygiene, social distancing and the use of equipment at workplaces. The letter is available here.

Source: FEBETRA