Bus drivers for repatriated Aussies in Darwin not being routinely tested

Drivers of repatriated Australians heading to the Howard Springs quarantine facility haven’t been routinely tested for COVID-19 until this week.

• All Territorians over 50 eligible for COVID vaccine in major overhaul
• NT’s active COVID case tally hits 38 as more India arrivals test positive

EXCLUSIVE: BUS drivers ferrying repatriated Australians to the Howard Springs haven’t been routinely tested for COVID-19 since the pandemic began.

The startling admission was made after months of requests by the NT News.

An edict from the chief health officer was sent out yesterday requiring drivers to be tested three times a fortnight, but only after the NT News approached the Chief Minister’s office for comment.

MORE NEWS

NAMED AND SHAMED: Drivers who broke the law revealed

NT Govt puts up $2m for Critical Worker Support package

’Same people who keep breaking in again and again’: ‘Relentless’ break-ins leave Darwin cafe with $20,000 damage bill

It comes despite at least one major outbreak in Sydney being tied back to a hotel quarantine driver becoming infected and spreading coronavirus to others in the community.

In response to questions, NT Health Minister Natasha Fyles said a new direction was being sent out requiring drivers and other workers to be routinely tested for COVID-19.

Drivers haven’t been required to be routinely tested for COVID-19. Picture: Che Chorley

“Under this new chief health officer Direction, anyone whose employment is involved with quarantine arrangements, or who has contact with a person required to quarantine must submit to a COVID-19 testing regime,” Ms Fyles said.

“Bus drivers transporting people who arrive from overseas to quarantine at the Centre for National Resilience are required to be tested,” she said.

Ms Fyles said the testing would be carried out on the third, seventh and 12th day after exposure to any COVID-positive patients.

The new direction comes amid a spike in positive coronavirus cases at Howard Springs, associated with repatriation flights from virus-stricken India.

Health Minister Natasha Fyles said drivers would be tested three times a fortnight after a chief health officer direction made Friday. Picture Glenn Campbell

The NT News first asked the Territory’s health department about testing arrangements for repatriation drivers back in January this year, after a van driver in Sydney was discovered to be the source of a cluster.

“Drivers are only tested if they develop symptoms of COVID-19,” an NT Health spokeswoman said at the time.

“They are required to wear full PPE (personal protective equipment) which includes a mask, gown, face shield and gloves whilst undertaking their duties,” the spokeswoman said.

The most recent questions, submitted on Thursday this week, vaguely said that “testing of quarantine workers, including transportation workers, are being updated”.

Evacuees from Wuhan Province in China arrive in Darwin in early February 2020. Picture: Che Chorley

Transport Workers Union NT branch secretary Ian Smith said they had raised concerns about the lack of testing of drivers.

“We understand testing of drivers will begin next week,” Mr Smith said.

“Drivers have been vaccinated but recent cases globally show the need to keep testing even those who are vaccinated to reduce the risk of spread,” he said.

Mr Smith said the TWU had been vocal about inadequate PPE provided to drivers early in the pandemic.

Darwin’s role in repatriation began back in early February 2020, when a plane-load of passengers from Wuhan arrived at Howard Springs.

Follow @thomasmorgan22 

  

Originally published as Bus drivers for repatriated Aussies in Darwin not being routinely tested