Vaccine deadline extension for truckies living in Sydney hotspots

Truckies living in the local government areas of concern in Sydney now have an extra fortnight to get their first jab if they want to work outside one of the LGA hotspots.

In a Covid-19 industry update today, Susie Harwood, executive director freight, Transport for NSW, announced that the September 6 jab deadline has been extended until the end of September 19 following consultation with industry.

However, truckies from those areas who are not yet vaccinated only have until the end of Wednesday, September 8 to book their first jab.

From September 9, authorised workers will be required to carry evidence of their booking if they wish to leave their LGA to work.

Workers from the LGAs of concern are offered priority bookings for vaccination.

For priority bookings visit:

• Authorised workers who live in LGAs of concern
• Anyone aged 16-39 who live in LGAs of concern

In an update to his members, Road Freight NSW CEO Simon O’Hara said Friday’s meeting with TfNSW raised a “number of points”.

He’s now invited operators to answer a series of questions below, the answers to which he plans to present to the decison-makers so they can hear direct from industry.

COVID vaccination rollout

• What are the challenges currently being experienced in relation to encouraging employees to get vaccinated?
• Challenges for industry generally – by sector eg. agriculture, road, rail, port
• Challenges for employers, employees
• How can we overcome those challenges?
• What are the best timeslots for vaccinations?
• Where are the best locations?

Close and casual contact risk profiling

• • What are the challenges currently being experienced in relation to the identification of close and casual contacts for freight drivers?
  • How can we overcome those challenges?
  • Map typical scenarios for freight drivers when picking up and delivering to assist consideration of when they should be considered a close or casual contact. What controls will reduce the risk of exposure?  Consider:
  • Exiting or remaining in the cab
  • Interaction with other workers
  • Indoor or outdoor environments
  • Time spent on activities outside of the cab
  • Controls such as no physical interaction