As the Greater Brisbane region, which includes the council areas of Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, Moreton and Redlands, enters its first day of an expected three-day lockdown, other States and Territories have responded with the reintroduction of border permits and hard border restrictions.
Tasmania, South Australia, Western Australia, the Northern Territory, and more recently Victoria, have maintained a border permit system, so from a permit perspective, it is business as usual.
However, yesterday Victoria declared the Greater Brisbane and Moreton Bay council areas as “Red Zones” on their traffic light travel permit system. Drivers arriving in Victoria from these local government areas are now required to apply for a Travel Permit under the category of Commercial Freight Worker and will need to submit to a COVID-19 test or show evidence of a negative test within the last seven days.
Drivers are not required to quarantine whilst awaiting test results but are required to continue to practice appropriate social distancing and adhere to health protocols in place.
If a freight worker has received the first dose of the Astra Zeneca vaccine, then evidence of that step should be held and testing should not occur: this advice has been received from the Victorian Department of Transport and we await written confirmation.
New South Wales has introduced an “Entry Declaration” form which must be completed by people who are entering New South Wales after spending time in Greater Brisbane in the previous 14 days.
New South Wales continues to provide the following freight friendly COVID testing sites which operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week:
- Taree Service Centre, Pacific Highway map
- Narrabarba rest area, Princes Highway map
- Forbes Caltex Service Centre, Newell Highway map
- Narrandera Roadhouse, Newell Highway map
- Tarcutta truck change-over yard, Sydney Street, off Hume Highway map
Links to the border permits for each state and territory can be found on NatRoad’s website here.
Further updates will be provided when changes are confirmed.
NatRoad communications are intended to provide commentary and general information. They should not be relied upon as legal advice. Our advisors are available to clarify any questions you have and provide the right advice for your business and workforce. Contact NatRoad on (02) 6295 3000.
