Covid NSW: Sydney drivers sound alarm on aircrew risk

Transport for NSW drivers have revealed they rarely see private vehicles used to carry aircrew following the same Covid procedures they must adhere too.

The limousine driver who sparked the Bondi Covid-19 outbreak is being investigated for work health and safety breaches, amid fears private vehicles hired to transport international aircrew have become “viral bombs” on Sydney’s streets.

NSW Police deputy commissioner Gary Worboys said investigations into the limousine driver and his employer are being broadened to include potential transport or work health and safety offences.

It is believed the man may not have been wearing a mask when he contracted Covid-19 earlier this month, but it has since been revealed this was not explicitly required in public health orders, even though it was expected of drivers.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian again deflected questions about loopholes in public health orders governing the transportation of aircrew and put the blame back on workers.

“Everybody in NSW who works in our systems knows of their obligations,” she said.

Transport for NSW drivers who take international passengers into Sydney hotel quarantine are required to wear N95 masks and gloves, cannot touch luggage, and have their buses deep cleaned by a team in full PPE between every trip.

But driver David Field told The Daily Telegraph in the 15 months he has been transporting passengers, he has never seen the private limousines and vans used to carry aircrew follow those procedures.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian (front) has dismissed questions about government oversight of international aircrew transport to quarantine. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

“We park next to the aircrew transport vehicles and see them go out and come back with no cleaning,” he said.

“They’re loading luggage … I’m not even allowed to touch a bag, we have the ADF to do that.

“I’m not blaming the drivers, someone’s letting them down,” he said.

A spokesman for Sydney Ground Transport, which has multiple drivers transporting aircrew, said “no comment” when asked about their Covid safety measures.

Federal Labor Senator Tony Sheldon said it was clear there had been a “fundamental breakdown” in the system.

“Because of the lack of oversight and proper process, companies are actually allowing viral bombs to be driven around the streets of Sydney,” he said.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said there could be a problem with the current rules, which he wanted “tightened up”.

“I would like these issues addressed and addressed quickly,” he told 2GB.

Inside the busy Covid testing tent at Bondi Beach. Picture John Grainger

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the limousine driver “should have been vaccinated”.

The Daily Telegraph attempted to question the driver through his apartment building’s intercom on Thursday, but he refused to comment.

The man’s neighbour said she believed he was “sick,” while a sign in the lobby of the building posted by NSW Health informed residents someone with Covid-19 had “recently been in the common areas”.

Ms Berejiklian said the level of concern about the current Covid-19 outbreak was “medium to high across NSW” but maintained the current restrictions were “appropriate”.

Chief health officer Kerry Chant said she wanted to see daily testing rates of almost 50,000 people continue.

A cleaner disinfects the rear entrance gates a Parliament House in Sydney. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Joel Carrett

NSW parliament was thrown into chaos after Agriculture Minister Adam Marshall tested positive to the virus.

The sitting day to pass the state budget was delayed, rapid testing was deployed, and MPs were locked down until negative test results were returned.

People who had “contact of any kind” with Mr Marshall were directed to get tested and isolate until getting further advice from NSW Health.

This included Energy Minister Matt Kean who was seen patting Mr Marshall on the shoulder on Tuesday.