Bennett Family of Companies Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: March 16, 2020

The Bennett Family of Companies are committed to the health and safety of our employees, owner-operators, contractors, drivers, agents and customers since Safety is Priority One. Our leadership team continuously monitors this developing international crisis and will provide frequent updates on what is a fluid situation. Here are a few areas of focus today:

Temperature Screenings

At Bennett facilities across the U.S. we have implemented procedures to check the temperature of anyone wishing to enter the premises. In most locations, a simple initial screening is being done with a trigger thermometer. If the visitor’s temperature indicates over 100°, a second scan is being done with a different thermometer. If the visitor is determined to have over a 100° temperature, they are being sent home from the facility.

• A fever is one of the indicators that a person may have COVID-19.
• Visitors are being screened upon re-entry, every time.
• This procedure is being done for the safety of our office locations, so that we may maintain the best likelihood of keeping our facility open for business.
• Our best advice is to take your temperature before you leave the house during the day. If your temperature is elevated, stay home.
• So far, we have not seen too much inconvenience at our facility entrances. We ask for visitors’ continued patience for the foreseeable future as this process remains in place.

Many customer facilities have implemented this procedure, so what has at first seemed out of the ordinary, will likely be the “new normal” at facilities across the country in the coming weeks.

Truck Stop Food Service and Sanitation

With over 3,000 owner operators, contractors and drivers on the roads, we have great concern for the safety and wellness of our driving force. Just as many states have today enacted restrictions on restaurants and bars, many of our national truck stop partners are reporting changes to their standard operating procedures.

In general,  truck stops have taken additional steps for cleanliness and sanitation.  TA-Petro is conforming to state-mandated shutdowns of dine-in restaurant facilities, including buffets and salad bars, while drive-through and delivery options remain available.

Medical Clinic and Testing Availability

Bennett’s leadership is monitoring the availability of COVID-19 testing sites and medical clinics to treat sick patients. The current amount of uncertainty in this area is a primary reason why we remain vigilant with our processes out of an abundance of caution. We are hopeful that the logistics and trucking industries will provide solutions to its millions of drivers who are criss-crossing the country daily to keep the heartbeat of our country going strong.

Social Distancing and Working from Home

The Bennett Family of Companies have completed a work-from-home policy that keeps over 50% of its operational staff away from the office. Within the last week, laptops, remote chat rooms and video conferencing solutions have enabled the social distancing necessary to keep our business going through this challenging time. The very nature of our distributed agent-based business model, coupled with not having more than 50% of staff in proximity to each other, means that our business continuity will remain strong if there were an outbreak in one of our primary business geographies.

In these difficult times, the Bennett Family of Companies remain committed to faithfully serve the demands of shippers in keeping our vital supply chain moving. While we watch out for the well-being of ALL of our family, we are focused on the mission to keep Safety Priority One.