Recent restrictions due to the coronavirus have seen roadside eateries, truck driver lounges and dedicated truck rest stops closed at the same time drivers have had to scale up their efforts.

The state's truck curfews have been lifted to allow 24-hour supermarket deliveries after hoarding chaos left many shelves bare of essential products such as toilet paper, hand sanitiser, pasta, rice, flour and tinned food.

Deputy Prime Minister and infrastructure, transport and regional development minister Michael McCormack said truck drivers were providing a vital service and needed to have access to facilities along the way.

"We have heard their concerns loud and clear and this is a common sense solution which ensures heavy vehicle drivers have access to essential amenities, can take regular breaks and eat properly whilst delivering their vital cargo," Mr McCormack said.

Exemptions will only apply for heavy vehicle drivers and facilities which can maintain appropriate social distancing and hygiene measures.

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Assistant minister for road safety and freight transport Scott Buchholz said the exemptions were about keeping drivers safe.

"We want to make sure our truckies are safe, both in terms of fatigue management and their risk of exposure to COVID-19 and this exemption gets that balance right," he said.

"With this exemption now in place, I do ask that facilities that can open per the social distancing and hygiene requirements of this new exemption do so."

Before the announcement, Australian Trucking Association (ATA) chairman Geoff Crouch said drivers had parked up at roadhouses along the Hume Highway only to be turned away from using its toilet and shower services.

The ATA this morning welcomed the exemptions, which Mr Crouch said came after strong campaigning from member associations.

"Truck drivers are essential and deserve better. They need to be able to take a break on the road; they can't just wander out of their home office and grab something from the fridge," he said.

"I want to thank Michael McCormack and Scott Buchholz for responding to the industry's calls so rapidly, and the National Cabinet for recognising the importance of this issue.

"I also want to thank the ATA's member associations for their absolute unity and common effort."