State industry body seeks rationalisation of virus-testing regimes
New South Wales and South Australia have tightened border controls for crossings from Victoria, following the National Cabinet’s protocol agreed last week.
This has led to a Victorian Transport Association (VTA) to warn of conflicting compliance pressures on freight transport that threaten huge disruption to the interstate freight tasks, and therefor supply chains, that have any exposure to Victoria.
“The interstate trucks that drive across these two borders each day and night are approximately 15,000 one way,” VTA CEO Peter Anderson says.
“The average tonnage carried is in excess of 650,000 Tonne per day connecting to thousands of supply chain connections
“While the transport and freight industry has been softly affected in Border crossings there are now new restrictions that will create enormous issues and stress for individual companies that need to service customers in other states.
“As from today 29th July 2020 all drivers will need to include in their cross border documentation, that include individual permits and Covid Safety Plans into New South Wales and South Australia, valid evidence of having a Covid-19 test within the past seven days.
“These directives are in direct contravention to health orders in Victoria from the Department of Health and Human Services.
“In Victoria, we are directed to have a Covid-19 test only if we have specific symptoms or feel unwell.
“We must then quarantine until the results are provided within 3-5 days.
“Also, we are not given any written or electronic receipt of the test.
“If we were able to get a Covid-19 test every seven days we would be in breach of Victorian directives if we did not quarantine after testing.
“The contradictions are obvious and the VTA has raised this issue as a matter of urgency with the Victorian Ports and Freight Minister, the NSW Roads Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister.
“We are looking to have these directives altered to enable border crossings to be workable and still maintain individual safety.”
Read about the most recent previous border rule changes, here
NSW updated its Covid-19 Safety Plan checklist for freight, advising workers who have been in Victoria within the past 14 days should be tested for covid-19 every seven days, even if they are not showing symptoms.
“That means that any worker crossing the border from Victoria to NSW should have had a Covid-19 test within the past seven days,” Transport for NSW executive director freight Susie Mackay states.
“Enforcement of the updated Covid-19 Safety Plan has not yet commenced, but I recommend industry update their own Covid-19 safety plans to reflect this change and organise for freight critical services workers to get tested. I urge you to work towards meeting the new requirements as soon as possible.
“Please note that obtaining the Covid-19 test is the responsibility of the operator.
“Police continue to conduct spot checks at the border and workers will need to produce a valid permit, Covid-19 Safety Plan and confirmation they have complied with the Covid-19 Safety Plan if requested. Those who cannot meet the requirements of their permit may be denied entry to NSW.
“I acknowledge these additional requirements may be difficult for some operators but I can’t stress enough just how important it is that we all do our bit to slow the spread of Covid-19.
“We remain committed to working with industry to keep freight moving, which is why those moving freight on a commercial basis are not required to self-isolate once crossing the NSW/Victorian border, however operators must also ensure all their obligations under their Covid-19 Safety Plan are met.
“In addition to Covid-19 testing, these obligations include physical distancing, following all hygiene requirements including carrying hand sanitiser, undertaking extra cleaning practices and keeping a record of all stops and close contacts over the past 28 days.
“Any person who is unwell or experiencing any Covid-19 symptoms should not attend work; they should instead get tested immediately and must self-isolate while waiting for results.”
Regarding the protocol, the VTA points out that National Cabinet “agreed that further work be carried out by jurisdictions on the implementation and enforcement of an industry code which, in conjunction with the Protocol, will minimise risks and exposure to workers and the community from Covid-19”.
In South Australia, the government adjusted testing requirements in the 10th iteration of its emergency management direction.
The change means arrivals can avoid required testing 24 hours after arrival if they can provide a relevant Covid-19 test within the previous seven days and again on day 12 after entry.
The South Australian Road Transport Association (SARTA) advises on its facebook page: “This amounts to a requirement for weekly COVID tests for ALL HV drivers (including returning SA drivers) ENTERING FROM VIC NSW or ACT, regardless of whether or not they are residents of those jurisdictions.
“There is NO REQUIREMENT for HV driver Essential Travellers to self isolate while waiting for test results… unless they are being tested because they have symptoms or have been exposed to an infected person.”
However, despite the advice, social media responses indicate a willingness among some in the industry there to dispute it based on individual readings of the government’s text.
The changes come as Queensland moves to declare the whole of greater Sydney a hotspot.
A list of NSW testing sites can be found here.
The updated NSW Covid -19 Safety Plan can be found here.
The SA changes can be found here.