Transport for NSW today reminded truckies living in Sydney areas of concerns and who work on Sydney construction sites that they have until August 21 to get their first jab.
Last Friday NSW Health granted a temporary exemption for these drivers to the vaccination rules that now apply to the construction industry in Sydney.
The other conditions of the exemption are that you:
- Are the driver of a vehicle that enters or remains on a construction site in Greater Sydney for the purpose of delivering or removing goods, including, but not limited to supplies, equipment, waste or spoil.
- Have, within the preceding 72 hours, been tested for Covid-19 and are carrying evidence of having been tested.
- Are carrying evidence of your place of residence.
In order to enter a construction site in Greater Sydney, freight workers living in or staying in these local government areas of concern do not need to provide evidence of a vaccine, nor evidence of an exemption, said Susie Harwood, executive director freight for TfNSW.
Road Freight NSW concedes this deadline is “problematic”, given the timeframe, but welcomes the exemption as nuanced and taking into account the current testing issues.
“This streamlines the process for construction and allows truckies to get on with the job given the long wait times for test results,” said CEO Simon O’Hara.
“NSW Police need to be made aware of these amendments so that truckies to keep construction moving and supplied. Importantly, the NSW economy can continue to grow with no risk to the community at large.”
To help truckies comply with the new health order, freight workers living in the areas of concern have this week been given priority status at vaccine hubs across Greater Sydney.