Queensland Trucking Association CEO Gary Mahon finally got the news this evening that he’d been working so hard to achieve: truckies no longer need a PCR Covid test to cross the state border.
After the Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced yesterday that the national cabinet had ordered the scrapping of PCR tests for drivers to help ease the burden on testing, there had been some concern over how the states and territories would respond.
Others were also worried that jurisdictions could amend health orders to require rapid antigen testing in place of PCR tests.
But much to his relief, Mahon confirmed to Big Rigs that all such hurdles had now been lifted.
TMR’s heavy vehicle unit also posted a bulletin to say that effective immediately, the Queensland chief health officer has removed the requirement for freight and logistics operators to show evidence of a negative Covid-19 test result under an F Pass.
This means that freight and logistics operators are no longer required from today to undertake rolling surveillance testing.
Queensland Health and Queensland Police Service also confirmed that the updated requirements for entering Queensland are now operational at border checkpoints.
The Queensland Freight Protocol and Border Pass system will be updated to reflect this change, and further advice will follow.
“Our advocacy for rapid antigen testing since July last year will finally see a workable solution for drivers to be able to cross into Queensland without the burden of waiting for test results,” said Mahon.
“That still leaves WA swinging. I have no read on that so they’re still requiring PCR and no rustling of the bushes coming out of WA to indicate that anything’s changing at this stage.
“But this will be a huge relief for our people.”
Retained requirements for Queensland
Freight and logistics operators must:
- hold a valid F Pass (Freight and Logistics).
- be fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
- immediately undertake a Covid-19 test (PCR or RAT) if you develop symptoms consistent with Covid-19.
- not continue the journey until a negative test result is received, or they have ended their isolation as permitted under a Queensland Public Health Direction.
- check in at all venues and document all interactions by registering applicable QR codes.