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TRUCK STOP CORONAVIRUS SHUTDOWNS: Where to shower and get a feed

It’s becoming increasingly difficult to have a sit-down meal and a shower out on the roads, despite road transport continuing to operate as an essential service as the Coronavirus pandemic progresses. One truckie has setup a Facebook page to help keep tabs on food and rest changes at truck stops.

 

Grain carter Matthew Young  kicked off the ‘Truck drivers food & showers Australia wide’ Facebook page Monday 23 March and since then it’s already ticked over 4,399 members and growing. 

“I started to see a lot of posts on the ‘On the Pads’ Facebook groups about where we can still have showers and get food,” Matthew explains.

“It’s always been an issue finding a clean shower and decent food, but now it’s harder than ever. 

“A lot of it was on pages where they were talking about roads as well, so we wanted a separate group so we didn’t clog those up with shower and food issues,” he says.

Truckies, businesses and the general public are urged to join the group, updating information as they visit truck stops, service stations, and towns trucks might pass through.

The page grows more important by the day, Matthew says, due to the worsening situation and the increasing need for truckies delivering around the clock.

“To a point it’s getting worse, some road houses around have just completely shut the showers,” he says.

“In terms of food, we can still get takeaway food but we aren’t able to get out of the truck and sit down to eat our meal. 

“We spend 12 hours in there, then we’ve got to lean on our fuel tank and eat or sit in the cab, and just about every road house in the last couple days has even got their outdoor seating areas cordoned off.”

Today alone there have been more than 150 posts and updates to the page, highlighting the constantly changing situation out there.

“Yesterday you were able to sit down, have a quick meal. Today, you can’t, places are shutting their dining room,” he says.

“That’s why we started it – we want to keep as many drivers Australia-wide across the constant changes. We’re doing our best to keep everyone up to date.”

Matthew tells us the support has been overwhelmingly positive, with the general public chipping in to do what they can.

“A lot of the general public, even those who aren’t at all related to road transport, have been in the group helping out,” he says.

“Some of them have even said they’re willing to get us food or open their house up to have a shower or do some laundry.  

“Most of the industry are trying to band together to help each other out as best we can.”

The Facebook page can be found here.

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