Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccinations for Truck Drivers Entering Queensland
All truck divers entering Queensland from another state – along with those entering on a freight pass – must be vaccinated with at least one dose under new regulations announced by the Palaszczuk Government today.
The move comes after several freight drivers entered the state while infectious and moved around the community recently.
Under the changes, all truck drivers and those using the freight pass must have at least one dose of a COVID vaccine by 15 October and have their second dose (or a booking) by 15 November.
Freight drivers entering Queensland from anywhere will also be required to produce a negative COVID test result at the border from within a seven-day period and maintain a seven-day rolling test regime while operating in the state.
A dedicated pop-up vaccination clinic will be established near the Queensland-New South Wales border to support the new vaccination rules for truck drivers.
The clinic will be located in Tugun, between Boyd Street and Kitchener Street, and come online from this afternoon, Tuesday, 28 September.
“Freight workers and truck drivers are absolutely essential to keeping food on the table and rebuilding our economy,” said Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.
“Regular testing has meant cases have been picked up quickly. But due to the nature of their work, we know that many freight workers and truck drivers are at greater risk of contracting COVID-19.
“That’s why we’re ramping up our vaccination rollout and making it quicker and easier for truck drivers crossing through the Gold Coast border to get vaccinated.
“Many drivers are already vaccinated – but for those that aren’t, we want to make it as easy as possible for them to get the jab.”
Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said the Gold Coast pop-up vaccination clinic was being established near the border at Tugun – in a location with plenty of parking and turnaround areas for trucks.
“With the Delta variant on our doorstep, we need to get as many Queenslanders as possible vaccinated quickly and safely,” she said.
“While we’ve been largely successful in keeping COVID-19 out of Queensland, there could be an outbreak any time, so make sure you are protected by getting vaccinated.”
Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey thanked truckies for doing their part to keep Queenslanders safe.
“The freight industry has continued to step up to meet the additional requirements that have been asked of them since the pandemic began, and we know we’re asking more of them again to help us stop Delta from coming to Queensland,” Mr Bailey said.
“Our big rig COVID-19 testing clinics at Boondall and Goondiwindi have worked really well so adding a pop-up vaccination clinic for truckies further strengthens our health response.
“We have been working with industry to get the balance of these new regulations right, so I thank them for their efforts and ongoing support through these challenging times.
“I encourage all drivers to take advantage of this and get vaccinated.”
Anyone aged 12 years and over is eligible to get vaccinated.
Queensland Health vaccination locations are not the only place you can access the COVID-19 vaccine.
To find your nearest participating primary care provider, such as GPs and community pharmacies, visit the Vaccine Eligibility Checker.
Please see original media statement made on QLD Government.
Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccinations for some Interstate Freight Workers
FREIGHT, transport and logistics workers entering Western Australian from “high” or “extreme” risk areas will be required to have had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine starting on 24 October.
These workers will need to be fully vaccinated within two months of their first dose, which means they must have received their second dose by 24 December.
Each day, there are about 300 crossings of the Western Australian border by transport, freight and logistics workers. Many of these workers are from WA, while some are based in other states and territories.
Regardless of where a worker lives, these directions will apply to them if they have transited through a “high” or an “extreme” risk jurisdiction within 14 days of entering WA.
The directions include, but are not limited to, freight truck drivers, pilot/support vehicle drivers, removalists, rail drivers and rail support crew, where these employees are required to travel from or through a “high” or an “extreme” risk jurisdiction for work.
In addition to the mandatory vaccination requirement, these workers must also wear a mask when in public, show proof of a negative COVID-19 test result or undertake a rapid antigen test at the WA border and, if they are staying in WA, they must comply with the regular testing regime until 14 days has passed.
It will be the responsibility of employers to collect and maintain records of vaccinated workers.
The directions provide exemptions for unvaccinated transport, freight and logistics workers, for approved medical reasons.
Currently, New South Wales is an “extreme risk” jurisdiction, Victoria is “high risk”, ACT is “medium risk”, Queensland is “low risk” and the Northern Territory, South Australia and Tasmania are “very low risk”.
Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan said the transport, freight and logistics workforce is by nature highly mobile.
“I have a lot of admiration for the work of people in transport, freight and logistics, who do an incredible job each and every day,” he said.
“Throughout the course of the pandemic they’ve continued work to ensure Western Australians could continue with their livelihoods and keep the state’s economy ticking over. Being on the road day in day out brings with it risks, and that is why is it important we’ve followed the health advice to ensure this workforce gets vaccinated against COVID-19.”
Mr McGowan said there have already been instances where truck drivers from places such as New South Wales – which is currently at an “extreme risk” setting – have incidentally carried COVID-19.
“We can never be too vigilant in our efforts to keep this deadly virus out of Western Australia and so I strongly encourage everyone to get their COVID vaccine now and let’s get our vaccination levels up,” he said.
State transport minister Rita Saffioti said it is vital that transport, freight and logistics workers are vaccinated against COVID-19.
“This is to protect these workers, their family and networks, the community, our industries and the economy,” she said.
“On the advice of our chief health officer, the mandate for transport, freight and logistics workers coming into Western Australia from a ‘high’ or an ‘extreme’ risk location to be vaccinated, is a proportionate and appropriate response in the ongoing effort to keep WA safe.”
Please see original article here.
