NSW border controls: Truck drivers must be COVID-19 tested every 7 days
New border crossing rules demand any truck driver wishing to cross from Victoria into NSW must first prove they have been COVID-19 tested in the past 7 days.
TRUCK drivers carting livestock, fresh produce and other goods across the Victorian-NSW border are now required to be tested for COVID-19 every seven days, under the NSW Government’s new border rules.
Transport for NSW freight executive director Susie Mackay has issued a letter to all transport operators stating: “under the updated COVID-19 Safety Plan checklist for freight, workers, who have been in Victoria within the past 14 days, should be tested for COVID-19 every seven days, even if they are not showing symptoms.
“Please note that obtaining the COVID-19 test is the responsibility of the operator,” Ms Mackay said.
Any driver who has not provide evidence that they have been tested within the past 7 days will not be able to cross the border into NSW.
A list of NSW testing sites can be found here or in Victoria here.
Container Freight Alliance of Australia director Neil Chambers said one Mildura freight operator had contacted him concerned that under Victorian rules any worker who sought a COVID-19 test would have to self-isolate until the results came back negative.
“It would effectively halve their (transport operators) work force, given they’d have to self-isolate for up to three days, while they awaited their test results,” Mr Chambers said.
However The Weekly Times has been able to confirm that the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services does not require people, who show no COVID-19 symptoms, to self-isolate after being tested.
The only problem some may face is that DHHS has directed regional health services and GPs to only test those with flu-like symptoms or who have been in contact with confirmed cases.
Transport for NSW latest update, issued this morning, also requires freight and transport operators to gain new border entry permits, with the NSW Government ruling any permits issued before 4pm on Tuesday July 21, have now expired and are no longer valid. New permits are valid for 14 days.
Applications for the new permit are now live and can be made online.
Truck drivers moving freight on a commercial basis will not be required to self-isolate, when crossing into NSW from Victoria, but they must have a valid and current COVID-19 Safety Plan and follow it at all times.
The COVID-19 Safety Plan must address exclusion of unwell staff, physical distancing, hygiene and record keeping
Transport for NSW is also encouraging operators to plan ahead as some delays may be experienced and to factor this into fatigue management plans.
Go to the Live Traffic website for the latest information on congestion.
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