Rota do Oeste offers prevention, immunization and Covid-19 testing to 10 thousand truck drivers on BR-163/MT

Operating on three different fronts, concessionaire Rota do Oeste has already assisted around 10 thousand truck drivers in ten actions carried out along the BR-163/MT highway concession with a focus on raising awareness,  prevention and diagnosis of Covid-19. The services offer began in March, soon after the World Health Organization (WHO) recognized the pandemic of the new coronavirus.

Initially, professional drivers who used the BR-163/364 had Support Points for Truck Drivers, strategically installed in Cuiabá and Rondonópolis. The regions were chosen due to intense vehicle traffic. The units served more than 5,000 truck drivers, who were able to get information about the disease, And means of prevention and sanitization. In addition, they received food (snacks and lunch boxes) as most of the road businesses were closed. 2,000 lunch boxes and over 5,000 hygiene kits were distributed.  This was the first stage of support for drivers developed by Rota do Oeste and was carried out with the support of the National Service for Transport Learning (Sest Senat) and Federal Highway Police (PRF).

In the north of the state, also as part of the prevention, 1,500 tags were distributed at the Nova Mutum, Lucas do Rio Verde and Sorriso toll stations. The team counted Veloe’s support.

By understanding that prevention measures were consolidated in society and among drivers, the Concessionaire began to support the immunization activities of these professionals who cannot stop. They are responsible for the country’s supply and were included as an essential service by the Ministry of Infrastructure.

To facilitate the access of these road heroes to the vaccine against Influenza A (H1N1), Influenza B and Influenza A (H3N2), five immunization actions were performed along the highway. The measure was intended to bring health care to the drivers, Who couldn’t go to a health facility to take their shots. 2,700 vaccines were applied in five vaccination points distributed in the cities of Cuiabá, Várzea Grande, Rondonópolis and Sinop.

Quick testing on the road – To complement the cycle, the Concessionaire, in partnership with Sest Senat, acted in the first quick testing of Covid-19 carried out on highways of Mato Grosso. The first phase of testing took place in the second week of June at the PRF stations in Cuiabá and Rondonópolis. 645 analyses were performed on truck drivers.  The campaigns with this focus will continue on Rota do Oeste‘s section.

The service structures included doctors, psychologists, nurses, and other health professionals. All mobilized to provide a humanized service to professional drivers.

200 tests were performed in Cuiabá, and 445, in Rondonópolis. The participants had the opportunity to ask questions about the disease, symptoms, care and know whether or not they were with Covid-19.  Truck driver Luiz Aparecido Lopes approved the initiative. “It is very important for us who work on the roads. It’s a way to know is our health is good. I am very happy with this effort”.

From Betim, Minas Gerais, the driver Anderson Felix Martins also remembered that the actions on the highway make all the difference for those who live on the road and have no time to do anything but work. “These tests are a good thing for us to know if we are contaminated or not.”