As Sydney’s Northern Beaches cluster grows, border restrictions and requirements are changing at a rapid rate. The NHVR has collated the latest info for each state and territory, relevant for truckies – here’s a summary.
Entering Queensland
Truckies providing essential freight and logistics transport who have been in NSW after 1am on 11 December 2020 will need to apply for a Freight and Logistics pass.
As of 1am yesterday, Monday 21 December 2020, 35 NSW local government areas are considered COVID-19 hotspots. If you have been in a COVID-19 hotspot in the previous 14 days you need to complete a Queensland Border Declaration Pass and adhere to the Queensland Freight Protocol. Both passes can be completed here.
Entering Victoria
Victoria has a hard border in place with NSW, resulting in delays for drivers entering from NSW. A permit system has also been reintroduced. To apply for a permit, click here.
Entering SA
For those entering SA after being in the Greater Sydney Region, Wollongong LGA or Central Coast LGA, they will need to quarantine in a suitable place and have a COVID-19 test on days one, five and 12. Essential Travellers need to apply through the Cross Border Travel Registration and must be approved before entering South Australia.
Those entering SA from a Low Community-Transmission Zone are also required to complete the cross border form.
Entering Tasmania
Drivers who have been in NSW and are yet to arrive in Tasmania need to reapply for Tasmania’s e-traveller pass. If a driver has been in a hotspot they will need to apply through G2G pass. For details, click here.
Entering ACT
The ACT has provided an exemption for freight operators entering from NSW. The exemption applies to freight business purposes into or through the ACT by road.
Entering WA
Travel from NSW into WA will only be permitted under strict exemption criteria. “A person responsible for transport freight or logistics” is exempted.
South Australia will be classified in the ‘very low risk’ category from 12.01am, 25 December 2020.
Entering NT
The NT Government website states that all freight workers must comply with the Chief Health Officer (CHO) Direction 50.
It says, “Freight workers entering the Northern Territory and the drivers of a freight vehicle that has a Gross Vehicle Mass of over 4.5 tonnes or train crew must complete and submit an online COVID-19 Freight Risk Mitigation Management Plan to the Northern Territory Government before entering the Northern Territory. If approved the freight worker will be issued a Certificate of Agreement that will be valid for a period of time specified on the certificate. Freight workers will then be committed to working under their plan while in the NT. Under the CHO Directions it is an offence to not comply with the plan submitted. Freight workers will need to show their Certificate of Agreement at the border and complete a Border Entry Form every time they enter the NT.” For more information, please click here.
* For the latest updates from the NHVR, please click here.