With the rapidly evolving COVID-19 situation across state borders, the QLD Freight Protocol has been updated with changes for freight and logistics operators who are Queensland residents or New South Wales border zone residents moving between QLD and the NSW border zone in the course of their duties, that will come into effect at 1am AEST Saturday 21 August 2021.
An additional COVID-19 testing facility will open at Goondiwindi tomorrow from 8am – further details below.
It is an offence to provide false, misleading or incorrect information on a Queensland Entry Pass (F Pass or X Pass) or supporting evidence; punishable by a fine, a court-imposed penalty or up to 6 months imprisonment.
A Queensland Entry Pass (F Pass or X Pass) must be completed by the person named on the pass as it is a personal declaration.
From 1am AEST Saturday 21 August 2021, you now have two options for entering Queensland from the New South Wales border zone.
Option 1 | Work under the QLD Freight Protocol, hold a valid F Pass and get tested
If you are a freight and logistics operator and a Queensland resident or New South Wales border zone resident travelling to and from the NSW border zone, you can work under the QLD Freight Protocol and adhere to the mandatory testing and F Pass requirements.
You can cease working under the X Pass regime and now apply for an F Pass.
What does this mean?
- You do not need to have had your first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine to enter Queensland.
- You must have a valid F Pass.
- You must have received a negative COVID-19 test result within 7 days prior to entering Queensland.
- You must maintain a rolling 7-day routine testing cycle while you continue to travel into and out of declared COVID-19 hotspots.
The F Pass continues to apply to entry from COVID-19 hotspots and declared Affected Areas.
Mandatory COVID-19 testing regimes are in place for freight and logistics operators entering Queensland from QLD declared COVID-19 hotspots and Affected Areas.
Option 2 | Have a valid X Pass and evidence of your first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine
As a Queensland resident or New South Wales border resident, your second option is to have evidence of your first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and hold a valid X Pass to enter Queensland.
What does this mean?
- You must have evidence of your first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine to enter Queensland, even if you are a Queensland returning resident. Your COVID-19 vaccine must be approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration for use in Australia or endorsed by WHO-COVAX where the worker was vaccinated overseas.
- You must hold a valid X Pass.
- You must not have left the NSW border zone to enter other parts of New South Wales.
- You do not need to have a negative COVID-19 test result within 7 days prior to entering Queensland or maintain a 7 day rolling testing cycle.
Eligible people can now register to receive a COVID-19 vaccine at a Queensland Health vaccination location.
QLD Freight Protocol
The QLD Freight Protocol sets out the requirement for freight and logistics operators moving in and out of Queensland in the course of their duties as a freight and logistics operator.
At AEST 1.00 am on Saturday 21 August 2021 updates to the QLD Freight Protocol will come into effect to address the above two options for freight and logistics operators entering QLD from NSW, and to apply the new listed Affected Areas below
New Affected Areas
From *1AM AEST Saturday 28 August 2021*, the following LGA’s will become Affected Areas for the purposes of the QLD Freight Protocol. This delayed timeframe allows industry a transition period to meet the mandatory testing requirements to enter QLD.
Bayside, Burwood, Strathfield and some suburbs of Penrith (Caddens, Claremont Meadows, Colyton, Erskine Park, Kemps Creek, Kingswood, Mount Vernon, North St Marys, Orchard Hills, Oxley Park, St Clair and St Marys).
This will add to the current list of declared Affect Areas the local government areas of Fairfield, Liverpool, Canterbury-Bankstown, Parramatta, Campbelltown, Georges River, Cumberland and Blacktown in the State of New South Wales.
Freight and logistics workers entering Queensland who have left the confines of the heavy vehicle in an Affected Area, require a valid Queensland Entry Pass (F Pass) to enter Queensland. They must have received a negative COVID-19 test result in the seven days prior to entering Queensland, and must also be able to provide evidence of a test being undertaken in the 72 hours immediately prior to entering Queensland. Furthermore, must maintain a rolling three-day testing cycle until they leave Queensland or 14 days have passed since they were in the affected area, whichever is shorter.
Freight and logistics workers entering Queensland from declared COVID-19 hotspots require a valid Queensland Entry Pass (F Pass) to enter Queensland. They must have received a negative COVID-19 test result within 7 days prior to entering Queensland, and must maintain a rolling seven-day routine testing cycle while continuing to travel into and out of declared COVID-19 hotspots.
*New* Caltex Goondiwindi | Truck only testing facility opens 8am tomorrow
From tomorrow 8am AEST Thursday 19 August 2021 a dedicated heavy vehicle COVID-19 temporary testing facility will be open at the Caltex Goondiwindi, 227 Boundary Road, Goondiwindi.
- Operational 7 days a week, 8am-4pm Monday to Sunday.
- Everyone entering the site must check in on the Check In Qld app.
- Road train accessible.
- Drivers will exit heavy vehicle for test.
- 4Cyte Pathology staff will be onsite to assist drivers.
- 4Cyte Pathology will provide evidence of your test. Results will follow.
- Click here to view large map.
Visit here for more information on 4Cyte Pathology.
Three Queensland COVID-19 testing facilities dedicated solely to heavy vehicles drivers are now open at Boondall, Charlton and Port of Brisbane.
Read more about locations and opening hours here.
The Queensland Government has rapidly responded to support the mandatory testing regime for freight and logistics drivers coming into QLD and working around our state.
We will continue to work with industry and pathology providers to identify additional COVID-19 testing site options that are suitable for heavy vehicles.
Further information
While New South Wales border resident operators are off-duty they will be required to follow the relevant stay at home rules in New South Wales.
Get tested immediately if you develop any symptoms.
