30 Oct | Operational protocol for freight movements entering Queensland

Preface

1. The operational protocol for freight movements entering Queensland (QLD Freight Protocol) sets out the requirements for heavy vehicle drivers, rail crew and drivers, passenger transport operations, non-heavy vehicle commercial freight operators, logistics and support workers, and any other persons essential to the delivery of freight in the course of a commercial freight movement.

2. While commercial freight movements have not been identified as a source of community transmission of COVID-19, the QLD Freight Protocol is necessary to manage the risk of transmission of COVID-19 from persons who are travelling to and from Queensland who have been in COVID-19 hotspots. For the QLD Freight Protocol a COVID-19 hotspot is declared by the Queensland Chief Health Officer and could be different to declarations in other States and Territories. Current COVID-19 hotspots can be found at: https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/current-status/hotspots-covid-19.

3. The QLD Freight Protocol is only enforceable within Queensland.

4. The QLD Freight Protocol has been developed, in part, to operationalise the Australian Government Protocol for Domestic Border Controls – Freight Movements and Freight Movement Code for the Domestic Border Controls – Freight Movement Protocol (the National Framework) agreed to at National Cabinet. Other jurisdictions may have other requirements and it is your responsibility to understand the requirements applicable in the jurisdiction in which you are travelling.

5. Non-Queensland residents entering Queensland for a freight and logistics essential activity should only remain in Queensland for the time necessary to complete the activity. Recreational activities are not part of a freight and logistics essential activity and must not be undertaken by persons to whom the QLD Freight Protocol applies. Queensland residents who have completed their freight and logistics essential activity can continue activities of daily life in accordance with the Queensland Public Health Directions.

Application

6. The QLD Freight Protocol is approved by the Chief Health Officer and referred to in the Border restrictions Direction (No. 14) or its successors, unless otherwise revoked or amended. The Public Health Directions are made under section 362B of the Public Health Act 2005.

7. The QLD Freight Protocol applies to any of the following if in the 14 days prior to arrival in Queensland they have been in a COVID-19 hotspot:

   1. heavy vehicle drivers

   2. rail crew and rail drivers

   3. passenger transport operations

   4. non-heavy vehicle commercial freight operators

   5. logistics and support workers

   6. any other persons essential to the delivery of freight in the course of the freight movement.

   Example: Essential persons may include, but are not limited to, two-up drivers, a pilot or escort for an oversized or over mass vehicle, or tow truck driver for heavy vehicle salvage.

8. Where requirements apply to all of the persons listed in 7(a) to 7(f) above, they will be collectively referred to as freight and logistics operators. Otherwise they will be listed separately.

Requirements for entry into Queensland

Queensland Border Declaration Pass (Freight and Logistics)

9. Freight and logistics operators entering Queensland must have a valid Queensland Border Declaration Pass (Freight and Logistics).

10. A Queensland Border Declaration Pass (Freight and Logistics) is valid for 14 days from the day of issue or unless a freight and logistics operators’ circumstances change, whichever is shorter.

11. Freight and logistics operators will not be allowed to enter Queensland without a valid Queensland Border Declaration Pass (Freight and Logistics).

12. A Queensland Border Declaration Pass (Freight and Logistics) must be completed by the person named on the pass as it is a personal declaration. It is an offence to provide false, misleading or incorrect information on a Queensland Border Declaration Pass (Freight and Logistics); punishable by a fine, a court-imposed penalty or up to 6 months imprisonment.

13. The Queensland Border Declaration Pass (Freight and Logistics) is available at https://www.qld.gov.au/border-pass.

Voluntary COVID-19 testing

14. It is recommended that:

    1. if a freight and logistics operator has been in a COVID-19 hotspot in the 14 days prior to entering Queensland that they:

       1. be tested for COVID-19 within 7 days prior to entering Queensland; and

       2. maintain a rolling 7-day testing cycle while they continue to travel into and out of COVID-19 hotspots.

       Note: Locations of COVID-19 heavy vehicle driver testing facilities, service centres and roadhouses that are still open during the COVID-19 trading restrictions can be found at: https://nhvr.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=eb63f81247844052aaad2f71fe31792c

15. If you attend a Queensland Health COVID-19 testing facility, please ensure that you identify yourself as a freight and logistics operator by showing a copy of your valid Queensland Border Declaration Pass (Freight and Logistics). This will entitle you to be tested, even if asymptomatic, and you will be prioritised for testing.

    Note: A list of COVID-19 testing locations is available at: https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/stay-informed/testing-and-fever-clinics.

16. It is recommended that freight and logistics operators continue to be tested for COVID-19 on a rolling 7 day testing cycle until at least 14 days has passed since they have been in a COVID-19 hotspot.

    Example: A rail crew member who enters Queensland from a COVID-19 hotspot and has evidence of a COVID-19 test dated 4 days before their arrival and is remaining in Queensland to work for two weeks, may continue to be tested for COVID-19 every 7 days. This would mean that their next test would be within 3 days of arriving in Queensland and then every 7 days after until 14 days has passed.

17. Freight and logistics operators who have routine COVID-19 testing are not required to isolate while awaiting a test result, if asymptomatic. If a freight and logistics operator is symptomatic or tested for any reason other than as a freight and logistics operator, they must continue to follow all relevant public health advice, including isolating until a negative test result is received and they are symptom-free.

18. Any freight and logistics operators who develop symptoms consistent with COVID-19 must immediately seek medical attention.

    Note: A person may wish to contact 134 COVID (13 43 25 84) for advice on next steps.

Recordkeeping

19. Freight and logistics operators entering Queensland who have been in a COVID-19 hotspot in the 14 days prior to their arrival must:

    1. collect and maintain written records of close contacts for the shorter of 14 days commencing on the date of arrival in Queensland, or until they depart Queensland if the period they remain in Queensland is less than 14 days; and

    2. collect and maintain the records at all times while a person is in Queensland in connection with a freight and logistics essential activity, even if off duty; and

    3. provide the records to an emergency officer (public health) or a contact tracing officer if requested.

20. A Queensland resident freight and logistics operator is required to maintain the records referred to in 19 above, even while in Queensland and off duty, whether or not between shifts, until 14 days has passed since they were last in a COVID-19 hotspot.

21. The records of close contacts that must be kept are:

    1. date, time and location of where the close contact occurred; and

    2. if available, name, and phone number or email address of the close contact.

    Note: A heavy vehicle driver should not keep close contact records in their electronic or written work diary. A supplementary worksheet or other electronic or written document should be used for maintaining records.

COVID Safe Workplans

22. On entry into Queensland, freight and logistics operators must be able to access a copy of their employer’s or operator’s current COVID Safe workplan, where one is required and available.

    Note: Under the National Framework COVID Safe workplans are mutually recognised across borders so operators are not required to have a jurisdiction specific plan when undertaking business across States and Territories.

    Note: A template for a freight specific COVID Safe workplan is available at: https://www.nhvr.gov.au/COVIDsafeplan

23. If a freight and logistics operator has a COVID Safe workplan then all persons must comply with the requirements in the plan in addition to the QLD Freight Protocol.

Quarantine for freight and logistics operators

24. Quarantine can mean a number of different things. Freight and logistics operators will not be required to quarantine for 14 days in a government nominated hotel, unless directed to do so by an emergency officer (public health), for example, due to a breach of the QLD Freight Protocol or another public health reason. Quarantine is about ensuring that people who may pose a transmission risk limit their interactions with the broader Queensland community.

Queensland residents

25. A Queensland resident freight and logistics operator who is on duty must:

    1. have no or minimal close contact with the Queensland community, including at truck rest stops, roadhouses, manned border crossings, depots; and

    2. only exit the vehicle to access rest stop facilities, refuelling, and activities directly related to the delivery or loading of freight or to meet required regulation activities such as workplace health and safety or fatigue management; and

    3. follow all COVID-19 related instructions at any location attended; and

    4. use non-contact receipt and collection processes for freight, where available.

26. A Queensland resident who is a freight and logistics operator is not required to quarantine when off duty. They must comply with all other Queensland Public Health Directions.

Non-Queensland residents

27. A non-Queensland resident freight and logistics operator while in Queensland must:

    1. only remain in Queensland for the time necessary to complete the essential activity; and

    2. have no or minimal close contact with the Queensland community, including at truck rest stops, roadhouses, manned border crossings, depots; and

    3. only exit the vehicle to access rest stop facilities, refuelling, and activities directly related to the delivery or loading of freight or to meet required regulation activities such as workplace health and safety or fatigue management; and

    4. follow all COVID-19 related instructions at any location attended; and

    5. use non-contact receipt and collection processes for freight, where available; and

    6. stay at overnight accommodation only when necessary in order to fulfil fatigue management requirements.

28. Recreational activities are not part of an essential activity and must not be undertaken by non-Queensland freight and logistics operators to whom the QLD Freight Protocol applies.

    Example: Recreational activities may include attending a sporting event or going to visit friends or family.

Repositioning freight and logistics operators

29. A Queensland resident freight and logistics operator can re-enter Queensland to reposition for work if:

    1. in the course of undertaking a freight or logistics essential activity they are required to enter a COVID-19 hotspot; and

    2. the essential activity is complete; and

    3. the person immediately repositions to Queensland by road, rail or air from an approved airport, subject to any fatigue management requirements, to re-commence work as a freight and logistics operator.

30. A Queensland resident freight and logistics operator who travels through a non-approved airport will be required to quarantine on arrival in Queensland.

    Example: A Queensland resident heavy vehicle driver moves a heavy vehicle from Brisbane to Melbourne, leaving the vehicle at the depot. The Queensland resident may return to Queensland by air to reposition for work as a freight and logistics operator in Queensland.

    Example: A Queensland resident undertaking a passenger transport function who travels into a COVID-19 hotspot by road for passenger movements can re-enter Queensland with an empty bus.

Symptomatic freight and logistics operators

31. Any freight and logistics operators who, while in Queensland, develop symptoms consistent with COVID‑19 must:

    1. cease working as soon as safe to do so; and

    2. isolate once ceased working; and

    3. seek medical attention to be tested for COVID-19; and

    4. remain isolated until a negative COVID-19 test result is received; and

    5. must not continue the journey until a negative COVID-19 test result is received.

32. Any freight and logistics operators who test positive will be contacted directly and advised of next steps.

33. In addition to 30, a freight and logistics operator who tests positive for COVID-19 should follow their employers COVID Safe workplan, if any.

Personal protective equipment

34. Personal protective equipment (PPE), such face masks, should be used whenever physical distancing is not possible, or when prescribed by:

    1. Queensland Health;

    2. Safe Work Australia; and/or

    3. an industry, site-specific, or employer COVID Safe workplans.

Definitions

35. Approved airport has the same meaning as Border Restrictions Direction (No. 16) or its successor/s.

36. Close contact of a person is another person with whom they were:

    1. within an enclosed space for a period of 2 hours or longer; or

    2. within 1.5 metres of the other person for a period of 15 minutes or longer.

37. COVID-19 hotspot means a particular area of Australia decided by the Queensland Chief Health Officer and published on the Queensland Health website. (https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/current-status/hotspots-covid-19 ).

38. Emergency officer (public health) means an emergency officer appointed under the Public Health Act 2005.

    Note: emergency officers appointed under the Public Health Act 2005 includes public service officers, including public health officers, Police, Transport Inspectors, Senior Network Officers, and fire and emergency services personnel.

39. Freight and logistics operators means any of the following persons who in the 14 days prior to arrival in Queensland have been in a COVID-19 hotspot:

    1. heavy vehicle drivers; or

    2. rail crew and rail drivers; or

    3. passenger transport operations; or

    4. non-heavy vehicle commercial freight operators; or

    5. logistics and support workers; or

       Example – a specialist mechanic, aircraft or rail engineer, providing mechanical or engineering support for the transport of commercial freight is providing an essential activity. Activities that can be performed remotely such as a person providing administrative support or a manager attending a meeting are not essential activities.

    6. any other persons essential to the delivery of freight in the course of a freight movement,

       Example: Essential persons may include, but are not limited to, two-up drivers, a pilot or escort for an oversized or over mass vehicle, or tow truck driver for heavy vehicle salvage.

    7. Any of 39(a) to 39(f) must be:

       1. transporting freight to, from or through Queensland under a commercial freight operation and any other person in the vehicle who is essential for the delivery of the freight; or

       2. transporting passengers by road or rail to, from or through Queensland under a commercial passenger operation or public transport operation, excluding rideshares; or

       3. providing logistics and support for the transport which requires the person to be physically present in Queensland to provide the logistics or support. Their entry may be separate to the freight movement.

40. Heavy vehicle drivers are persons who drive vehicles with a gross vehicle mass (GVM) or aggregate trailer mass (ATM) of more than 4.5 tonnes.

41. Logistics and support workers are persons providing logistics and support for freight and logistics operations which requires the person to be physically present in Queensland to provide the logistics or support.

    Example: a specialist mechanic or rail engineer providing mechanical or engineering support for the transport of goods is providing an essential activity. A logistics and support worker may enter Queensland separately to the freight movement e.g. a rail inspector arriving by air to undertake an inspection activity in Queensland. Activities that can be performed remotely such as a person providing administrative support or a manager attending a meeting are not essential activities.

42. National Framework means the Australian Government Protocol for Domestic Border Controls – Freight Movements and Freight Movement Code for the Domestic Border Controls – Freight Movement Protocol.

43. Non-heavy vehicle drivers are persons who drive vehicles with a gross vehicle mass (GVM) or aggregate trailer mass (ATM) of 4.5 tonnes or less.

44. QLD Freight Protocol means this operational protocol for freight movements entering Queensland.

45. Queensland resident is a person whose primary place of residence is in Queensland.

46. Symptoms consistent with COVID-19 means fever or history of fever and, symptoms of acute respiratory infection (cough, shortness of breath, sore throat), loss of smell, loss of taste, runny nose, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting or fatigue.

Dr Jeannette Young
Queensland Chief Health Officer
Queensland Health

23 October 2020