Qld Border Entry Requirements for interstate Freight and Logistics Workers.

The following does not apply to drivers only delivering within Queensland and who do not cross the border into border towns.

 

Vaccination Status

• Evidence of double dose of COVID Vaccination by 15 November or evidence of appointment for the second dose.  Must abide by stay at home requirements for two weeks are having second dose.

Border Pass

• Valid F Pass (Freight and Logistics) to enter Queensland from another state or territory in Australia, regardless of whether a hotspot or affected area has been declared in that state or territory.
• If it is are requirment for a driver to cross the border in a car to get to and from the depot for work the driver must have a a valid F Pass (Freight and Logistics)

Mandatory COVID-19 testing

• must provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test result within 7 days prior to entering Queensland (the 7days start from the date of the test), AND
• You must maintain a rolling 7-day testing regime (using a PCR test only) while travelling in and out of Queensland.
• Find dedicated heavy vehicle driver testing locations across Australia.

Only Leaving vehicle for Essential purposes

• drivers may only leave their vehicle while on duty for an essential purpose such as refuelling, using restroom facilities or consuming food only in a location where physical distancing can be reliably maintained.

 

Stay at home requirements for drivers not fully vaccinated (had two doses)

• If you are not yet *fully vaccinated and you enter Queensland from another state or territory, when taking a long rest break (of 7 hours or more) while on duty, you must comply with the stay at home requirements outlined in the Border Restrictions Direction.

• *"Fully vaccinated" means you have received the prescribed number of doses of a COVID-19 vaccine and it has been two weeks since the final dose.

• You will be permitted to leave your accommodation for essential purposes only  such as refuelling, using restroom facilities or consuming food only in a location where physical distancing can be reliably maintained. (essential purposes does not include recreational or social purposes).
• If you’re not a Queensland resident, accommodation includes any accommodation you may be staying in, including the sleeper cab of your vehicle.
• If you’re not a Queensland resident, accommodation includes any accommodation you may be staying in, including the sleeper cab of your vehicle.

 

LINK TO CURRENT - QLD FREIGHT PROTOCOL - EFFECTIVE 5 OCTOBER 2021

 

 

Update from Department of Transport and Main Roads

 

NEW DEDICATION COVID-19 FREIGHT AND LOGISTICS WEBPAGE - click here

 

Review of Qld Freight Protocol

On 18 November, TMR invited key freight and logistics industry representatives and our Queensland Government agency partners to discuss the future requirements of the Queensland Freight Protocol, as the Queensland community continues to meet key vaccination milestones.

TMR would like to thank those that participated and advise that feedback captured through this consultation will be provided to and worked through with the Queensland Chief Health Officer in the review of the Queensland Freight Protocol.

TMR will continue to work closely with the freight and logistics industry and will provide further updates to any proposed changes to the Queensland Freight Protocol.

TMR remains committed to keeping the supply chains moving, supporting the safe movement of freight across our borders and ensuring that Queenslanders and our communities stay connected to essential goods and services.

Entry Requirements as per COVID Direction 56 for freight Workers

 

A freight worker must not enter the Territory unless the worker has been vaccinated as follows:

• from 1 November 2021 - the worker has received the first dose; and
• from 13 December 2021 – the worker has received the second dose.

On entry freight workers must submit to testing and produce:

• evidence of the freight worker’s vaccination (for example a completed appointment slip or medical certificate for the first dose or a digital certificate for full vaccination shown on a mobile phone);
• an approved freight risk mitigation management plan; and
• a border entry form.

Freight workers must submit to testing every 7 days while in the Territory.

 

If a freight worker has been in a hotspot or at an exposure site, the worker must quarantine at a suitable place until the 14th day after being in the hotspot or at the site. This may be residential or commercial accommodation or their vehicle. The accommodation must allow for social distancing and sleeping arrangements separate from others not in quarantine. 

 

Freight workers may leave quarantine while working, for medical purposes, in an emergency or for a compassionate purpose approved by the CHO.

 

Freight workers must comply with the freight risk mitigation plan approved by the Department of Health.

 

Freight workers must regularly check for symptoms of COVID-19, and contact the COVID-19 Hotline or a medical practitioner to determine whether to be tested or assessed for infection.

 

A freight worker subject to quarantine who fails to comply with quarantine or testing requirements must travel directly to a place specified by the CHO and remain until the 14th day after being in the hotspot or at the exposure site. A freight worker not subject to quarantine who fails to comply with testing requirements must travel directly to a suitable place for quarantine and remain until the 14th day after the date of non-compliance.

 

 

COVID TESTING FACILITY – TRUCK CENTRAL (WISHART ROAD, EAST ARM) NOW OPEN

 

To assist truck drivers get COVID PCR Tests done the Western Diagnostics facility at Truck Central will be open tomorrow, Saturday 20th November between 8am and 12pm.

 

No appointment is necessary.  Please let others in the road transport industry who may be needing to get tested before going into a ‘low vaccinated’ remote community that the Truck Central facility will be open Saturday and again on Monday.

 

The NT Road Transport Association wishes to acknowledge and sincerely thank all of the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics staff for their commitment and continuing support to the road transport industry, and for making this happen at short notice.

 

From 25 November, domestic travel permits are no longer required to enter Victoria - see information for interstate travellers.

 

From 26 November 2021, you must be able to provide evidence to your employer that you have received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine or have a valid proof of medical exemption.

 

All freight workers entering Victoria from interstate must have received both doses of the COVID vaccine by 26 November.

 

There is currently no requirement to complete a NSW Border Entry Permit to enter NSW.  

 

Rules apply to people who:

• are entering NSW from an affected area
• have been to a place of concern or place of high concern during the time period specified in the COVID-19 concerns notice.

Rules for interstate travellers

Latest Concerns Notice as at 26/11/21

 

Testing requirements for freight workers entering NSW

Freight workers entering NSW from other states and territories are strongly encouraged to undertake seven day rolling COVID-19 testing as part of their COVID Safety Plans and in line with the National Freight Movement Protocol. 

 

Regular asymptomatic testing is one of the key controls that helps keep freight workers and the community safe and helps to reduce the risk of spread of the virus.

 

While not mandatory, in line with the National Freight Protocol we strongly encourage regular testing every 7 days as part of your COVID Safety Plans.

 

Asymptomatic testing is available at the 11 Transport for NSW managed sites and two council managed freight-friendly testing facilities as well as at community testing facilities in regional and metropolitan NSW.

 

Map of NSW Freight friendly COVID testing sites

 

UPDATE - no changes for entry requirments for Essential Commercial Transport and Freight Workers in new Direction for Arrivals No 3, from 28 November unless the person has been in close contact with a positive case of COVID-19 in the 7 days prior to their arrival in SA, they must not enter SA. If they have had close contact with a positive case of COVID-19 in the 14 days prior to their arrival in SA, they must submit to a COVID-19 test on day 13 after they were with them. Close contact means living with or spending time with someone.

 

Other changes have been made for general public arriving in SA from High, Moderate or Low Risk areas from 12.01am 28 November.

 

FROM 23 NOVEMBER - SA ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR COMMERCIAL TRANSPORT AND FREIGHT WORKERS:

 

Drivers entering SA from or been through High, Moderate or Low risk areas (currently NSW, VIC, ACT, NT)

 

Full Vaccination requirement:

• Evidence of 2 doses of COVID vaccine OR
• Evidence of one dose of AstraZeneca before 18th October 2021 AND evidence of booking of second dose within the recommended interval after the first dose 

Testing Requirement:

• Evidence of a negative result from a COVID test within the past 7 days OR submit to a COVID PCR test within 12hrs of arrival.

Entry Form:

• Essential Traveller Approval - all *existing approvals will be honoured until they expire.  New Approvals to enter must be made using using EntryCheck SA.  See more information below.

If entering from a Very Low Risk Area (currently Qld, Tas, WA)

 

Vaccination requirement:

• must have one dose of COVID Vaccine on or before 8 December AND evidence of booking to receive 2nd dose

Testing Requirement:

• Evidence of a negative result from a COVID PCR test in the past 7 days OR submit to  a COVID PCR test within 12hrs of arrival.

Entry Form:

• Essential Traveller Approval - *all existing approvals will be honoured until they expire.  New Approvals to enter must be made using using EntryCheck SA.  See more information below.

 

NOTE:  Check the location risk rating of the area coming from before entering SA to make sure you comply with the entry requirements http://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/COVIDLGAentry. 

 

There are specific testing requirements for the general public entering SA, however, a commercial transport and freight worker satisfies the all testing requirements with the evidence of a negative result from a test in the past seven days.

 

Unvaccinated Essential Travellers will be prohibited from entry, however may apply to SA Health for an exemption from this requirement.

 

 

*NEW ESSENTIAL TRAVELLER APPROVAL

The new system currently only issues Single Passes so please follow the process below to get a 3 month approval as a Commercial Transport and Freight Essential Traveller.

1. Register for an MySAGov account
2. Go to EntryCheck SA system 
3. Check inbox for the initial approval email (please note, this first approval has only been issued for a single entry)
4. To get a 3-month approval, scroll down the approval and click on the link to “apply for an exemption”.
5. Indicate that you are a 'commercial transport and freight ET'. 
6. Upload supporting documentation (ie: letter from employer, etc) as per the previous permit application process) and your approval will be re-issued for 3 months with any relevant condition
7. Check inbox for exemption approval.

 

Link to new Emergency Direction

 

SA Testing options

Commercial transport and freight workers can access COVID-19 testing at any testing site in SA. They will be given priority access upon presentation of proof of employment.

 

Sites have been set up on major freight routes to assist with access to testing. Information on site location and opening hours is available at the below links.

Keith COVID-19 testing site

Peterborough COVID-19 testing site

Pinnaroo COVID-19 testing site

Port Augusta Gull Roadhouse COVID-19 testing site

Regency Park COVID-19 testing site

Tailem Bend COVID-19 mobile testing site (24 hours a day, seven days a week)

Yamba COVID-19 mobile testing site (24 hours a day, seven days a week)

More information on COVID-19 testing options is available on the SA Health website.

 

Testing evidence

Evidence of a negative COVID-19 test result can be in the form of a SMS or a letter from an approved pathology provider.

 

Rapid antigen tests

Some commercial transport and freight workers entering South Australia from restricted zones will be directed to undertake a Rapid Antigen Test, in addition to the standard COVID-19 test.

Find more information about COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Testing at South Australian border sites.

 

Vaccination options

To ensure timely access to vaccination, walk-in appointments are available at the below dedicated commercial transport and freight worker COVID-19 vaccination site.

 

Tailem Bend COVID-19 vaccination clinic (7.00 am to 11.00 pm, 7 days)
8786 Princes Highway, Tailem Bend

 

Walk-in appointments are also available for commercial transport and freight workers at the below SA Health COVID-19 vaccination clinics. Proof of employment to demonstrate eligibility, as well as evidence of the most recent negative COVID-19 test result is required.

Wayville COVID-19 vaccination clinic (before 3.30 pm)

Pooraka COVID-19 vaccination clinic

Munno Para COVID-19 vaccination clinic

Noarlunga Centre COVID-19 vaccination clinic

Enfield COVID-19 vaccination clinic

Port Augusta Hospital COVID-19 vaccination clinic

Whyalla Hospital COVID-19 vaccination clinic

Port Lincoln (Napoleon St) COVID-19 vaccination clinic

Clare Hospital COVID-19 vaccination clinic

Wallaroo Hospital COVID-19 vaccination clinic

Port Pirie COVID-19 vaccination clinic

Mount Gambier Central Shopping Centre COVID-19 vaccination clinic

Murray Bridge Community Health COVID-19 vaccination clinic

Berri Riverland Central Plaza COVID-19 vaccination clinic (before 2.00 pm)

Victor Harbor COVID-19 vaccination clinic (call 0468 576 150 before attending)

Mount Barker COVID-19 vaccination clinic (call 0468 576 150 before attending)

Gawler COVID-19 vaccination clinic (call 0468 576 150 before attending)