Given the number of infectious cases in the community, the Premier yesterday announced changes to further limit the spread of the COVID-19. An amendment has now been made to the Public Health (COVID-19 Temporary Movement and Gathering Restrictions) Amendment (No 8) Order 2021 and imposes additional restrictions on the Greater Sydney area.
Workers in Fairfield, Liverpool and Canterbury-Bankstown
From 12:01am Sunday 18 July 2021
Freight workers as described in the authorised workers list can leave their homes or temporary accommodation to work. If you leave the local government area of Fairfield as an authorised worker you must follow the COVID testing requirements of once every 72 hours (3 days).
Asymptomatic workers who are tested as part of this new surveillance testing requirement do not need to self-isolate until they receive a negative result. However, if symptoms develop at any time, they must get re-tested immediately, and isolate until a negative result is received. Please also continue to regularly check the latest COVID-19 case locations and alerts in NSW as they are frequently updated. If you have been to a 'transmission venue of concern' or a 'case location' listed here, you must follow the specific health advice.
You must have proof of your COVID-19 test such as a SMS text message on your phone or an email addressed to you. Workers should enquire with their testing facility for the method of proof they will be provided and should identify themselves as an authorised worker.
Freight deliveries into these three LGAs is also permitted. Workers who enter these LGAs that do not live in these LGAs or do not stay in temporary accommodation are not required to meet the 72 hour testing requirement.
Carpooling where it is part of a person's work, such as a team of freight workers travelling for work purposes, is allowed.
All other stay-at-home rules for Greater Sydney continue to apply.
Additional restriction in Greater Sydney including the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour
From 12:01am Sunday 18 July 2021
Of relevance to the freight industry, additional requirements have been made for:
Face-coverings
Masks are now mandatory in the following settings in Greater Sydney:
· indoor and outdoor areas of markets in Greater Sydney if they predominately sell food;
· outdoor areas that are next to or near food and drink premises or retail premises in Greater Sydney;
· outdoor areas in Greater Sydney where work is occurring.
Detailed advice on the requirements for the Greater Sydney area can be found here
From 12:01am Monday 19 July 2021
Construction Pause
Work is not to be carried out on a construction site in Greater Sydney unless the work is urgently required for the following purposes:
· To ensure the safety or security of the construction site;
· To deal with environmental risks;
· To maintain critical plant or equipment that would otherwise deteriorate;
· To receive deliveries of supplies that would otherwise deteriorate;
· To maintain public utilities;
· To ensure the safe operation of existing transport infrastructure;
· By or on behalf of NSW Health in response to the COVID-19 pandemic;
· Because of an emergency.
An employee or other person is not to enter or remain on a construction site other than to carry out the work listed above;
Construction site is defined as a place at which work, including related excavation is being carried out to erect, demolish, extend or alter a building or structure but not work carried out in relation to a dwelling in which a person is residing.
Residential maintenance and construction is not permitted. This includes cleaning, carrying out repairs, maintenance, alterations, additions or other trades. There is an exemption if the work is:
· To ensure the health, safety or security of the place of residence or persons living there; or
· Because of an emergency.
Be COVIDSafe
We ask that all freight workers remain vigilant and make every effort to limit their exposure.
· Always check in and out, wherever you can.
· Get a COVID-19 vaccination when it is available to you.
· Wear a face mask when required.
· Physically distance.
· Comply with the mandatory testing requirements. For those that a mandatory testing requirement does not apply to, get tested on a rolling 7 day basis.
· If you have even the mildest of symptoms get tested and self-isolate until you have a result. Continue to regularly check the latest COVID-19 case locations and alerts in NSW.
Thank you for your continued efforts to keep freight moving safely and we will keep you updated on the latest advice on NSW requirements as they are released.
Regards
Susie Harwood
Executive Director Freight
Customer Strategy and Technology
Transport for NSW