Overnight NSW Health announced updates to the Public Health Order regarding requirements for the vaccination of authorised workers.
Taxi, rideshare and hire vehicle drivers are not authorised workers.
However, certain drivers who provide healthcare and social assistance passenger services as an authorised worker, such as a booked wheelchair service, are able to provide that service as an authorised worker. Those drivers in order to leave their LGA to provide passenger services now need to be vaccinated by 9 September or in the event they have not been able to be vaccinated, from 9 September to 19 September, Authorised Workers who have an appointment to receive a vaccine on or before 19 September 2021 will be permitted to leave their LGA for work. Evidence of a vaccination appointment must be carried and to show police if requested.
This means that drivers who provide social or healthcare passenger services such as booked wheelchair service or Veteran Affairs will be required to have received their first dose of vaccination by 9 September or have an appointment to receive their first dose of vaccination on or before 19 September, in order to leave their LGA of concern to provide passenger services as an authorised worker.
The Commissioner strongly encourages everyone, but especially members of the point to point transport industry, to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Please reinforce this message with drivers and staff.
Increasingly, more places to get vaccinated are available, please make sure to book in to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
For those who have received their first vaccination, thank you for taking action towards protecting yourself and the community and make sure to book your second dose. Getting vaccinated will help us keep NSW COVID safe and get back on the road to recovery.
Stay up to date
We will continue to update the Industry as new information regarding restrictions and Public Health Order updates become available.
The Commissioner’s website and COVID-19 updates page provides further information on the stay-at-home rules and restrictions and how they apply to the Industry.