NSW backs down on forced COVID-19 testing for Victorian truck drivers

The NSW government says it is now optional for truckies entering the state from Victoria to be tested for COVID-19.

The NSW government has backflipped on its mandatory COVID-19 testing for truck drivers entering the state from Victoria, now declaring it optional.

The NSW government has backflipped on its mandatory COVID-19 testing for truck drivers entering the state from Victoria, now declaring it optional.

The Victorian Transport Association (VTA) warned forcing truck drivers to undergo COVID-19 tests within seven days before they crossed the NSW border from Victoria would delay hundreds of thousands of tonnes of freight each day, potentially fuelling panic buying at supermarkets.

But on Friday afternoon, the NSW government changed its directive.

“There have been many meetings, conversations and correspondence to governments and jurisdictions to elevate the issues with the changes to border crossing regulations, including the unworkable seven-day COVID testing requirement for all cross-border drivers,” VTA chief executive Peter Anderson said.

“We have had some success with NSW now making change to their directive and making the seven-day testing optional and NOT mandatory. There is still some work to be done to ensure that common sense prevails.”

The South Australian government, which introduced mandatory testing for truck drivers entering the state from Victoria this week, is digging on its decision as Melbourne continues to record hundreds of COVID-19 infections a day.

Mr Anderson said South Australian authorities have yet to acknowledge the depth of the issue but there is some good work being done to have the issue formally addressed.

“South Australian Police are still insisting on drivers being tested every seven days. While we cannot meet this expectation through Victorian testing resources it is still very difficult to be tested in South Australia.”

To help truck drivers at the SA border the VTA has drafted a letter for them to show police officers. Mr Anderson said the letter aimed to prevent the driver trying to explain and argue with police.

“The letter will by no means guarantee any consideration, but it may give the driver some comfort as they go about their essential work.”

On Thursday, Mr Anderson warned the testing would threaten Australia’s national road freight network, with 650,000 tonnes of supplies crossing the NSW and SA borders with Victoria each day.

“This will mean people won’t get food. This will mean buildings won’t get built. There will be gaps on shelves and people will go into a panic because they’ll say - there is no rice, no flour, what am I going to do?” Mr Anderson said.