Everstream Analytics monitors and produces a weekly summary of supply chain impacts due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The update is provided free-of-charge to the industry.
- Several cities in China continue to be under strict COVID-19 protection measures, with the most recent lockdown affecting 3.6 million residents in Baise City, Guanxi province since February 7. Local authorities have prohibited cross-regional traffic, inhibiting residents and vehicles from moving between counties or districts. The city’s airport operations are also subject to restrictions, and some of Guanxi Province’s border crossings with Vietnam have faced delays.
- A COVID-19 outbreak among cross-border vegetable truck drivers prompted the temporary closure of the Wenjindu border crossing on February 4 and 5 for vehicles entering Hong Kong from Shenzhen. Authorities ordered the disinfection of 100 vegetable carrying trucks and a quarantine for some drivers, leading to a shortage in vegetables across Hong Kong. On February 7, Hong Kong authorities reported a new daily record of 614 COVID-19 cases.
- Labor shortages as a result of COVID-19 infections continue to cause cargo processing delays at several airports in the United States. Particularly affected is Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), with delays of up to 5-7 days reported in the movement of hazardous materials.
- The Coutts border crossing between the United States and Canada continues to be shut by truckers and farmers in both directions. The border crossing has been intermittently blocked since January 29 as part of an uprising against COVID-19 mandates for cross-border truckers. Previously affected border crossings include the Houlton-Woodstock border, the Pembina-Emerson border, and most recently on February 7 the Ambassador Bridge of the Windsor-Detroit Crossing, where US-bound traffic has resumed following an hours-long blockade that continues to disrupt Canada-bound traffic. Protesters have also continued to block major roads in Ottawa since January 29, prompting authorities to declare a state of emergency on February 6.
- Singapore’s Changi Airport cargo terminal has continued to face import delays due to recent COVID-19 infections among staff. These delays have reportedly been compounded by a surge in shipments before the Lunar New Year and lower volume of cargo picked up by agents due to the holiday period. Normal operations were expected to resume by February 8.