QLD Border Update - 23 July 2021

QLD Border Update - Testing mandatory

From 1am Friday 23 July 2021, mandatory COVID-19 testing for freight and logistics operators will come into effect, along with changed requirements under the QLD Freight Protocol.

Mandatory testing will help to keep our essential drivers, their families, and the community safe from the spread of COVID-19.

The QLD Freight Protocol has been updated in response to changes in the Border Restrictions Direction (No. 28) and Queensland Border Declaration pass requirements (Freight and logistics). These updates will also come into effect from 1am Friday 23 July 2021.

Mandatory COVID-19 testing

Mandatory testing regimes will be in place for freight and logistics operators entering Queensland from QLD declared COVID-19 hotspots.

If you are asymptomatic and undertaking mandatory COVID-19 testing as a freight and logistics operator, you are not required to isolate while awaiting a test result.

If you are symptomatic or tested for any reason other than as a freight and logistics operator, you must continue to follow all relevant public health advice, including isolating until a negative test result is received and you are symptom-free.

*New* COVID-19 Affected Areas and testing

As defined in the updated QLD Freight Protocol, an Affected Area means the local government areas of Fairfield, Liverpool and Canterbury-Bankstown in New South Wales.

• Freight and logistics drivers who have left the confines of the heavy vehicle in an Affected Area must:
  • get tested and receive a negative test result in the 7 days prior to entering Queensland, and 
  • be able to provide evidence of a test being undertaken in the 72 hours immediately prior to entering Queensland.
• You must maintain a rolling 3-day testing cycle until you leave Queensland or 14 days have passed since you were in the Affected Area, whichever is shorter.

Evidence must be made available in order to enter Queensland. 

COVID-19 hotspots and testing

• Freight and logistics drivers entering Queensland from declared COVID-19 hotspots must have received a negative COVID-19 test result within 7 days of 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.
• You must be able to provide evidence that you have been tested.
• From 1am Friday 23 July 2021 all of New South Wales will be a QLD declared COVID-19 hotspot, along with the current QLD hotspots of South Australia and Victoria.

Evidence of testing

• You must be able to provide evidence of your compliance with the testing requirements under the QLD Freight Protocol.
• You may at any time be requested to provide that evidence to an emergency officer (public health).
• An SMS text message, email or written confirmation from the testing organisation can be evidence that a test has been taken.

COVID-19 testing locations

To support industry in maintaining mandatory testing the NHVR COVID-19 Support Map provides details of dedicated heavy vehicle driver testing sites across states and territories.

Queensland Government will continue to look at options that might be suitable for heavy vehicles and will provide further updates as necessary.

Freight and logistics operators can be tested at Queensland Health fever testing clinics.

Find a Queensland COVID-19 testing location.

Operators can show their ID card and valid Queensland Border Declaration Pass (FPass) to health workers when they arrive to be prioritised for testing. Costs may be incurred if operators go to a private testing facility.

Border declarations and passes

Travelling in and around Queensland without the necessary documentation will cost you $4,135. Queensland Police and TMR Transport Inspectors are actively monitoring Queensland border crossing locations.

The Queensland Border Declaration system is being updated, further information will be provided in the coming days.

Queensland Border Declaration Pass (FPass)

• Freight and logistics operators entering Queensland who have been in a QLD declared Affected Area are required to apply for a valid Queensland Border Declaration Pass (FPass) every time you enter Queensland after being in an Affected Area.

Example: A freight and logistics operator who will be travelling between an affected area and Queensland several times within a 14 day period will have to complete a new Queensland Border Declaration Pass (FPass) every time they plan to enter Queensland after being in an affected area.

• Freight and logistics operators entering Queensland who have been in a QLD declared COVID-19 hotspot in the previous 14 days,or since the identified start date for the QLD declared COVID-19 hotspot (whichever is shorter), are required to have a valid Queensland Border Declaration Pass (FPass).

Queensland Travel Declaration

• Freight and logistics operators entering Queensland who haven't been in a COVID-19 hotspot or Affected Area must complete a Queensland Travel Declaration.
• Freight and logistics operators are not exempt from this requirement.

Freight and logistics operators must adhere to the requirements of the QLD Freight Protocol when entering QLD, remaining vigilant and make every effort to limit your exposure.

Always keep records of close contacts, check in and out wherever you can, get a COVID-19 vaccination when it is available to you and wear a face mask.

Thank you for your continued efforts to keep freight moving safely and we will continue to keep you updated on the latest advice on Queensland Health requirements as they are released.  

Importantly, support continues for those in the transport, freight and logistics industry as these are considered essential activities.

Further information
Whilst TMR is happy to assist with industry questions,134 COVID (134 268) has been set up to assist with fast responses to queries.

Further information about the Queensland border restrictions, including questions and answers, can be found on the border restrictions webpage.

For more information see Department of Transport and Main Roads Mandatory COVID-19 testing for freight and logistics operators.