Operational protocol for freight movements entering Queensland from 5 October

Effective from: 1.00am on 5 October 2021

This protocol has been developed for the purposes of the Border Restrictions Direction.

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, 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. 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 another state or territory in Australia.

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.

6. 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 must follow stay at home requirements until 14 days have passed from the time when the person has been in another state or territory in Australia unless they are fully vaccinated.

Application

7. The QLD Freight Protocol is approved by the Chief Health Officer and referred to in the Border Restrictions Direction (No. 48) or its successors, unless otherwise revoked or amended. The Public Health Directions are made under section 362B of the Public Health Act 2005.

8. The QLD Freight Protocol applies to any of the following persons who are entering Queensland from another state or territory in Australia:

   1. heavy vehicle drivers

   2. rail crew and rail drivers

   3. non-heavy vehicle commercial freight operators

   4. logistics and support workers

   5. 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.

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

Requirements for entry into Queensland

10. Freight and logistics operators entering Queensland from another state or territory in Australia must fulfill all the requirements outlined in the QLD Freight Protocol including:

    1. having a valid Queensland Border Declaration Pass; and

    2. adhering to the mandatory COVID-19 testing requirements; and

    3. adhering to the mandatory vaccination requirements.

Queensland Border Declaration Pass (Freight and Logistics – F Pass)

11. Freight and logistics operators entering Queensland from another state or territory in Australia must have a valid Queensland Border Declaration Pass (Freight and Logistics – F Pass) in order to enter Queensland.

    Note: After 1.00 am 5 October 2021, all freight and logistics operators entering from another state or territory including but not limited to a COVID-19 hotspot must have a valid Queensland Border Declaration Pass (Freight and Logistics – F pass).

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

13. A Queensland Border Declaration Pass (Freight and Logistics - F pass) 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 - F pass); punishable by a fine, a court-imposed penalty or up to 6 months imprisonment.

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

15. A person who is entering Queensland as a specialist or essential worker under the Border Restrictions Direction (No.48) must state they are a specialist or essential worker when completing the Queensland Border Declaration Pass and use the Queensland Border Declaration Pass (Specialist or Essential Worker Pass – S Pass) and must not use the Queensland Border Declaration Pass (Freight and Logistics – F Pass) to enter Queensland.

Mandatory COVID-19 testing

16. A freight and logistics operator who has been in another state or territory in Australia in the previous 14 days must not enter Queensland unless:

    1. they have evidence of a negative COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction test (PCR) result received in a rolling 7-day period; and

       Example: A freight and logistics operator who enters Queensland from another State or Territory in Australia must present evidence of a negative COVID-19 test received within 7 days prior to entering Queensland at the Queensland border check point if requested by an emergency officer (public health). To meet the7-day mandatory rolling testing requirements, If the negative test result was received 4 days prior to entering Queensland, another negative result must be obtained in 3 days.

    2. they have maintained a rolling 7-day testing cycle with negative PCR test results while they continue to travel into and out of Queensland, if applicable; and

    3. they can provide evidence of their compliance with the testing obligations in sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) if requested by an emergency officer (public health).

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

17. 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) and driver identification. 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, including dedicated Queensland heavy vehicle driver testing locations is available at: https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/stay-informed/testing-and-fever-clinics.

18. 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. This may require isolating until a negative test result is received and they are symptom-free or isolating for 14 days even after a negative test result is received, if the operator is a close contact.

19. 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.

Mandatory Vaccination

20. A freight and logistics operator who has been in another state or territory in the previous 14 days must not enter Queensland unless the person has:

    1. by 1.00 am AEST on 15 October 2021, received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration for use in Australia or endorsed by WHO-COVAX where the worker was vaccinated overseas; and

    2. by 1.00 am AEST on 15 November 2021 received the prescribed number of doses of a COVID-19 vaccine approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration for use in Australia or endorsed by WHO-COVAX where the worker was vaccinated overseas; or

    3. by 1.00 am AEST on 15 November 2021, evidence of a booking to receive the prescribed number of doses of a COVID-19 vaccine approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration for use in Australia.

    Note: Evidence of vaccination for paragraphs (a) or (b) may be the person’s vaccination card, immunisation history or other written evidence provided by their general practitioner. Evidence for paragraph 20(c) may be in the form of an appointment booking. The person will be required to show evidence if required by an emergency officer (public health).

Exceptional circumstances

21. A freight and logistics operator may enter Queensland in the course of carrying out their duty, despite not having met the requirement to be vaccinated in paragraph 20 if the person is not able to access a COVID-19 vaccine to comply with the vaccination requirements because the person has a recognised medical contraindication.

    Note: the vaccination is not available to a person only if the person has a recognised medical contraindication. The person will be required to show evidence to this effect by way of a medical certificate or letter from their General Practitioner.

Recordkeeping

22. Freight and logistics operators entering Queensland who have been in another state or territory in Australia in the previous 14 days must:

    1. collect and maintain written records of proximate 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. collect and maintain records of compliance with mandatory COVID-19 obligations under this protocol; and

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

23. A Queensland resident freight and logistics operator is required to maintain the records referred to in paragraph 22 above, even while in Queensland and off duty, whether or not between shifts, until 14 days has passed since they were last in another state or territory in Australia.

24. The records of proximate contacts that must be kept are:

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

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

    Note: A heavy vehicle driver should not keep proximate 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

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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.

Other requirements for freight and logistics operators travelling into Queensland

28. A freight and logistics operator who is on duty and has travelled outside of Queensland in the last 14 days Queensland must:

    1. have no or minimal contact with the Queensland community; and

    2. must not leave the vehicle other than for essential purposes, including to purchase food, or to use restroom facilities, or to refuel or resupply; and

    3. only consume food in accordance with paragraph 29(c) or 30(d); and

    4. check in at all venues and document all interactions by registering applicable QR codes or filling supplementary work diary record sheets where no electronic means of tracking is available; and

    5. undertake daily COVID-19 symptom screening and be tested if they develop symptoms consistent with COVID-19, irrespective of how many days have passed since their last negative surveillance test; and

    6. access education and training to recognise COVID-19 symptoms and follow relevant protocols if symptoms occur; and

    7. access daily risk communication related to declared Commonwealth hotspots, Queensland Chief Health Officer declared hotspots, jurisdictional lockdowns and required control measures; and

    8. for all interactions, wear masks and minimise time taken for loading and unloading and all interactions.

29. In addition to the requirements in paragraph 28, a freight and logistics operator taking a short rest break while on duty must:

    1. have no or minimal contact with the Queensland community; and

    2. only leave their vehicle for essential purposes; and

    3. only consume food in a location where they can reliably observe physical distancing, such as indoors in a dedicated or partitioned area at a truck stop, or in an outdoor area.

       Note – A freight and logistic operator may purchase food or drink from a food outlet in a service station and consume the food in an indoor area provided for use by freight and logistics operators where 1.5 meters can be maintained from another person. A freight and logistics operator must not consume food in an indoor dining setting, including a food court in a shopping centre, a restaurant or a pub where physical distancing cannot be reliably maintained.

       Example: a freight and logistics operator may enter a fast-food restaurant for the purpose of purchasing food, check-in using the Check-in Qld app, and purchase the food. Where the restaurant is part of a service station that offers a dedicated area for freight and logistics workers, the food can be consumed in that area. Where the food is purchased from a busy, suburban fast-food outlet with many customers in a small area, the food must be taken away for consumption.

       Example: a freight and logistics operator in far West regional Queensland regularly stops at the only hotel in town that offers overnight lodging, washroom facilities and a meal. Food purchased as part of that rest stop may be consumed in the hotel provided physical distance of 1.5m from other patrons can be reliably maintained.

30. In addition to the requirements in paragraph 28, a freight and logistics operator taking a long rest break while on duty must:

    1. have no or minimal contact with the Queensland community; and

    2. comply with stay at home requirements unless they are fully vaccinated; and

       Note – under the stay at home requirements, a freight and logistics operator may not leave their accommodation for recreational or social purposes such as watching sport or attending a birthday party. They may leave their accommodation to get essential goods or get essential medical care in compliance with other Public Health Directions.

    3. only consume food in a location where they can reliably observe physical distancing, such as indoors in a dedicated or partitioned area at a truck stop, or in an outdoor area.

       Note – A freight and logistic operator may purchase food or drink from a food outlet in a service station and consume the food in an indoor area provided for use by freight and logistics operators where 1.5 meters can be maintained from another person. A freight and logistics operator must not consume food in an indoor dining setting, including a food court in a shopping centre, a restaurant or a pub where physical distancing cannot be reliably maintained.

       Example: a freight and logistics operator may enter a fast-food restaurant for the purpose of purchasing food, check-in using the Check-in Qld app, and purchase the food. Where the restaurant is part of a service station that offers a dedicated area for freight and logistics workers, the food can be consumed in that area. Where the food is purchased from a busy, suburban fast food outlet with many customers in a small area, the food must be taken away for consumption.

       Example: a freight and logistics operator in far West regional Queensland regularly stops at the only hotel in town that offers overnight lodging, washroom facilities and a meal. Food purchased as part of that rest stop may be consumed in the hotel provided physical distance of 1.5m from other patrons can be reliably maintained.

31. A Queensland resident who is a freight and logistics operator who has been to another state or territory in Australia must comply with stay at home requirements until 14 days have passed since the freight and logistics operator has been in another state or territory unless they are fully vaccinated.

32. A freight and logistics operator in Queensland must comply with all other Queensland Public Health Directions.

33. In addition to the requirements in paragraph 28-30, 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. stay at overnight accommodation only when necessary in order to fulfil fatigue management requirements and

    3. comply with stay at home requirements if remaining in Queensland overnight unless they are fully vaccinated.

34. Recreational activities are not part of an essential activity and must not be undertaken by 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

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

    1. in the course of undertaking a freight or logistics essential activity they are required to enter another State or Territory in Australia; and

    2. the freight and logistics activity is complete; and

    3. the person immediately repositions to Queensland by road, rail or air from an approved airport.

    Example: A Queensland resident freight and logistics operator 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. The Queensland resident freight and logistics operator must still satisfy all other requirements under the QLD Freight Protocol.

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

37. A non-Queensland resident freight and logistics operator can enter Queensland by road, rail or air from an approved airport to immediately commence work as a freight and logistics operator undertaking a freight and logistics activity if:

    1. in the course of undertaking the freight or logistics activity they are required to move between Queensland and another State or Territory in Australia; and

    2. the person complies with all other requirements of the Qld freight protocol and other Public Health Directions.

    Example: A freight and logistics operator may cross the border by car for a freight and logistics task commencing in Queensland.  The freight and logistics operator must still comply with all other requirements of the Qld freight protocol.

Symptomatic freight and logistics operators

38. Any freight and logistics operators who, while in Queensland, develop symptoms consistent with COVID19 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.

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

40. In addition to paragraphs 38 and 39, a freight and logistics operator who tests positive for COVID-19 should follow their employers COVID Safe workplan, if any.

Personal protective equipment

41. Personal protective equipment (PPE), such as face masks, must be used when 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

42. Approved airport has the same meaning as Border Restrictions Direction (No. 48) or its successors.

43. Close contact means:

    1. a person who has been determined to be a close contact of a diagnosed person by a public health officer and has been, or has been advised they will be, provided with a quarantine direction under the Public Health Act 2005; or

       Note: notification from the Queensland Government may be through SMS, email or telephone call or through contact tracing alerts published on the Queensland Government website.

    2. a person in Queensland who has been determined to be a close contact or a casual contact of a diagnosed person by an interstate government authority.

44. 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.health.QLD.gov.au/system-governance/legislation/cho-public-health-directions-under-expanded-public-health-act-powers/declared-hotspots-direction ).

45. Dedicated area means an indoor area at a truck stop or service station that is partitioned or otherwise set aside from areas used by members of the public, for the use of freight and logistics operators while on a meal or rest break.

46. Diagnosed person means a person who has been diagnosed with COVID-19.

47. 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.

48. End of life visit means a visit by a person for the purposes of end-of-life support for a resident.

49. Freight and logistics operators mean any of the following persons who in the 14 days prior to arrival in Queensland have been in another state or territory in Australia:

    1. heavy vehicle drivers; or

    2. rail crew and rail drivers; or

    3. non-heavy vehicle commercial freight operators; or

    4. logistics and support workers; or

    5. 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.

    6. Any of 51(a) to 51(e) 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. 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; or

       3. repositioning in Queensland immediately before commencing a shift for one of the purposes in (i) to (ii).

50. Fully vaccinated means the freight and logistics operator has received the prescribed number of doses of a COVID-19 vaccine approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration for use in Australia or endorsed by WHO-COVAX and the vaccination was obtained overseas, and it has been two weeks since the final dose.

51. 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.

52. Interstate exposure venue means a place that is:

    1. identified by the relevant government authority for a State or Territory or safe travel zone country as a venue where a person who was present at that venue during an exposure period is required to quarantine, isolate or be tested for COVID-19 and isolate until they receive a negative result or for another period due to potential exposure to COVID-19; and

    2. published on the Queensland Health website.

    Note: an interstate exposure venue includes all venues identified by a relevant government authority including venues identified as either close contact venues or casual contact venues. These venues are published on the Queensland Health contact tracing website: https://www.QLD.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/current-status/contact-tracing.

53. 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.

54. Long rest break means a rest break of 7 hours or more.

55. 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.

56. 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.

57. Proximate 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.

58. Physical distancing means maintaining a distance of at least 1.5 metres from another person where persons are not members of a household.

59. Public health officer includes an emergency officer under section 315 of the Public Health Act 2005, a contact tracing officer under section 90 of the Public Health Act 2005 or an authorised person under section 377 of the Public Health Act 2005.

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

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

62. Safe travel zone country has the same meaning as in the Quarantine for International Arrivals Direction (No. 12), or its successors.

63. Short rest break means a rest break less than 7 hours.

64. Stay at home requirements for a freight and logistics operator means the person must stay at home or in their overnight accommodation except:

    1. to carry out freight and logistics operations; or

    2. if the person has symptoms consistent with COVID-19, for the purpose of obtaining a COVID-19 test; or

    3. to get a COVID-19 test to adhere to the routine testing requirements; or

    4. to avoid immediate injury or illness or to escape a risk of harm; or

       Example — escaping a risk of harm related to sexual or domestic and family violence.

    5. in the event of an emergency situation; or

       Example — a person leaving quarantine to go to a hospital for emergency medical treatment or due to an emergency at the premises such as fire or flood.

    6. to obtain food or other goods or services for the personal needs of the household or other household purposes, including for pets, and for vulnerable persons; or

    7. to obtain essential medical care or supplies or health supplies or to fulfil carer’s responsibilities; or

    8. exercising outdoors alone or with members of the household where the person is staying; or

    9. if the person does not have any symptoms consistent with COVID-19, to obtain a COVID-19 vaccination in Queensland; or

    10. if a person has been granted an exemption from the Chief Health Officer or delegate and has the permission of the operator of the facility, for the purpose of an end of life visit for a resident of a facility; or

    11. to leave Queensland by air by the most direct route without stopping unless the person has been identified as a close contact; or

    12. as otherwise required or permitted under a direction given to the person by an emergency officer (public health).

    Under the stay at home requirements, a person may allow up to 2 visitors per day to enter the place where the person is residing in addition to a person who:

    1. usually resides at the premises or is residing at the premises for the purpose of quarantine; or

    2. is required to enter the premises in an emergency; or

    3. is entering to provide essential health care to a relevant person or to a person who resides at the premises; or

    4. is otherwise required or permitted to enter under a direction given to the person by an emergency officer (public health).

65. Specialist or essential worker means a person providing services in Queensland who has been endorsed by a Queensland Government Agency under Border Restrictions Direction (No.48) or its successor.

66. 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

29 September 2021