NT government rushes to reassure about Howard Springs bus driver precautions after Sydney COVID-19 case raises concerns
THE NT government has rushed to reassure Territorians about safety procedures for bus drivers transporting repatriated Australians into quarantine after concerns were raised about a Sydney bus driver who contracted COVID-19 last month.
Northern Territory
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THE NT government has rushed to reassure Territorians about safety procedures for bus drivers transporting repatriated Australians into quarantine after concerns were raised about a Sydney bus driver who contracted COVID-19 last month.
In response to questions from the NT News, a spokeswoman from the Department from the COVID-19 Operations Centre said bus drivers were only tested if they developed symptoms of COVID-19, but were required to take other precautions.
“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.
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“Drivers remain separated from passengers, with no direct contact with them or their luggage.
“All vehicles used in the transport task are specially cleaned.”
It comes after a bus driver who drove international flight crews to and from Sydney Airport tested positive for COVID-19 in December.
During a press conference on Monday, Health Minister Natasha Fyles announced that there had been no changes to current COVID-19 hot spots, with the NT government “closely monitoring” clusters in Victoria and parts of NSW.
Ms Fyles said that NT Chief Health Officer Hugh Heggie had not yet made Melbourne a hot spot because all of the recent cases were linked to people in isolation after attending a Thai restaurant in Black Rock.
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Currently, the Greater Sydney area is the only declared COVID-19 hot spot for the purpose of travel to the NT.
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