Vax hubs, testing clinics could close if waste truck drivers are not exempt from isolation rules

Experts warn vaccination hubs and testing clinics across the state could close if waste truck drivers are not given close-contact exemptions.

There are growing fears Victorian Covid vaccination and testing clinics could close if waste truck drivers are not exempt from close-contact isolation requirements.

Australian waste management company Cleanaway estimates 30 per cent of the industry’s workers are in isolation following the state government’s seven-day requirement.

Cleanaway, responsible for removing clinical waste from all health services across the state, says if rules do not change waste at testing sites may not be collected.

“It is inevitable that we will see some disruptions to our services as a result of people isolating,” a Cleanaway spokesman said.

“When you think about waste collecting, it’s not just our bins at home. We collect clinical waste for the entire of Vic Health, including testing centres and hospitals so for them to continue to operate, they need their waste collected.”

It comes as the Water Management and Resource Recovery Association of Australia (WMRR) urged Prime Minister Scott Morrison and the Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews to allow waste truck drivers to continue working with Covid if they present no symptoms.

Cleanaway estimates more than 150 of about 4500 truck drivers are isolating.

“Whilst we are still currently operating, with the amount of people isolating there is a risk that services will be disrupted,” the spokesman said.

“If we don’t have staff to collect waste and recycle properly, recycling may end up in landfill.”

Under current state requirements exempt workers are able to work if they have no symptoms and return a negative RAT, isolate when not at work, conduct a RAT for five days and return negative before working, wear a face mask, and do not enter shared break areas.

The state government has been contacted for comment.