New Bedford down 30 plow drivers amid COVID surge

NEW BEDFORD, Mass (WLNE) – We all know how essential plow drivers are in a classic New England snow storm. But what happens when those drivers are hard to come by, because many are out sick?

That’s what the city of New Bedford experienced during Friday’s snowstorm.

According to New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell, the city is down about 30 plow drivers because of COVID-19.

During a storm like this one, Mitchell says typically 120 plows would be out in full fleet throughout the storm.

“I’m really asking of the public is to be patient, I think everybody understands that there are lots of folks out with COVID right now… and we are not an exception,” Mitchell says.

Mitchell says only about 2 plow drivers are unable to work because they have not complied with the city’s vaccine mandate. The city’s mandate went into place in November.

New Bedford has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the state as well one of the highest 2-week COVID case numbers in Massachusetts.

Some of the plow drivers on the road on Friday in New Bedford have tested positive for COVID, but are asymptomatic according to Mitchell. He says he is grateful for their dedication.

Mitchell says in terms of the next storm, the hope is that they won’t see this shortage if case numbers decline.