At Hino we want to continue to keep you up to date on the latest information relating to the COVID-19 pandemic and recently we communicated best practices for drivers and owners. It can also be challenging to understand what is at stake for truck drivers when travelling interstate, particularly delivery drivers who come into contact with people. What are the updates to border closures that Hino drivers need to be aware of, especially with the latest announcement from VIC? Let’s find out.
Note that all the advice has been pulled and compiled from Government websites to ensure facts, figures and procedures all comply with Australian law. The most up-to-date information about entry conditions, forms and requirements is on the Government website of the state and territory you are travelling to. Read on to find a compilation of various links for each state.
What are critical services and the travel exemptions?
Australia has strict border measures in place to protect the health of the Australian community. With critical skills required to maintain the supply of essential goods and services, travel restrictions are subject to change. Please check back regularly. See: National Cabinet media statement.
An individual can submit a request for a travel exemption under this category or a business can submit a request on their behalf. The applications of multiple travellers within the same group/business can be linked, so that the requests are considered together.
Where do you go to get the latest information on border closures?
States and territories in Australia have closed their borders to non-essential travel due to COVID-19. Each state or territory has their own entry requirements.
Victoria (VIC)
NSW and SA have temporarily shut their borders with Victoria to contain the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). Read on for more information.
Find out more about COVID-19 restrictions in VIC here.
New South Wales (NSW)
NSW/VIC border
NSW has temporarily imposed border restrictions with VIC. Only persons authorised under the public health order may enter NSW if they have been in VIC in the last 14 days.
Information from the NSW government about travelling to NSW from VIC, including applying for a permit to travel to NSW.
NSW/Queensland (QLD) border
QLD’s Chief Health Officer approved a class exemption to the Border Restrictions Direction (No. 12) for QLD and NSW resident farmers and agribusiness workers.
NSW/SA border
Essential travellers living in cross border communities can still enter SA, however, they cannot travel further than 50 kilometres over the border into SA.
South Australia (SA)
SA/VIC Border
Anyone wishing to enter SA from VIC as an essential traveller will need to complete a Cross Border Travel Registration form.
If you are entering from VIC you cannot travel further than 40 kilometres over the border into SA.
SA/ACT & NSW Border
Travellers from ACT and NSW, other than essential travellers, will be required to:
- self-quarantine for 14 days after entering SA
- submit for COVID-19 testing on:
- the first day of entry to SA (the day of arrival)
- the twelfth day of arrival.
Travellers from NT, QLD, TAS and WA can enter SA directly without restriction. However, a pre-approval process is now in place.
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
If you are travelling to the ACT from within Australia it is important that you are up to date with the latest advice and Public Health Directions in the ACT.
The ACT Government strongly discourages anyone from COVID-affected areas from travelling to the ACT.
Stay up to date about travelling to and from ACT on the government’s website.
Northern Territory (NT)
There are strict border controls in place for all arrivals to the Territory, including returning Territorians.
All arrivals to the NT must:
Keep up to date with the NT Government’s website for all interstate arrivals.
Queensland (QLD)
The QLD Government has implemented enhanced border control measures, including border passes and identification screening to help protect QLD.
Anyone can enter QLD unless they have been in a COVID-19 hotspot in the last 14 days.
If you have been in a hotspot within the last 14 days, you will no longer be able to quarantine in QLD and will be turned away at the border—unless you are providing an essential activity.
Stay abreast with the latest developments about QLD borders here.
Tasmania (TAS)
Border restrictions in TAS are based on the locations travellers have spent time in during the 14 days prior to their arrival in TAS.
This determines whether travellers will be permitted to enter the State, where they must quarantine and other requirements such as wearing masks and undertaking COVID-19 testing.
Find out more here.
Western Australia (WA)
WA’s borders are now closed, travellers are not able to enter WA unless exempt. From midnight Friday, 14 August, any transport or freight worker entering WA will need to show evidence of having received a negative COVID-19 test result in the last 5 days. Transport, freight and logistics operators are encouraged to complete a COVID Safety Plan noting the COVID Safety Plan Guidelines, to ensure they are mitigating the risks of COVID-19
Read more here.
What is the difference between restrictions in regional VIC and metropolitan Melbourne?
Since 11.59pm on Wednesday 16 September, Third Step restrictions apply throughout regional VIC:
- There are no restrictions on the reasons you can leave home
- There are no restrictions on how far you can travel within regional VIC
- If you can work from home you must work from home.
You must wear a face covering when you leave home and up to ten people from a maximum of two households can meet outdoors.
Since 11:59pm on Sunday 13 September First Step restrictions apply in metropolitan Melbourne.
A curfew between the hours of 9pm until 5am. This means you must be at your home during these hours. The only reasons to leave home between 9pm and 5am will be:
- to shop for food and essential goods or services
- to provide care, for compassionate reasons or to seek medical treatment
- to exercise
- for permitted work.
However, you can meet one friend or family member outside for up to 2 hours.
For both regional VIC and metropolitan Melbourne, restrictions will be eased when requirements are met and based on Public Health advice.
The information presented here will keep updating. Refer to the roadmap to reopening VIC as a whole. It includes dates and restriction levels.
For the latest Australian COVID-19 updates, please visit here.
To view our latest COVID-19 update and information on our Hino dealers, please click here.
Stay COVIDSafe!