COVID Safe Update for the Point to Point Transport Industry

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Key Updates

Additional restrictions extended to Cumberland and Blacktown Local Government Areas

Today the Premier announced further measures to limit mobility across Greater Sydney, labelling the current COVID situation in NSW a national emergency.

Restrictions are being extended to the Cumberland and Blacktown local government areas (LGAs). People living or staying in these LGAs will need to follow the same rules as those in Fairfield, Liverpool and Canterbury Bankstown, meaning workers are not allowed to leave their local government area unless they are on the list of authorised workers identified by the NSW Government  — taxi, rideshare and hire car drivers are not authorised workers. 

This means that taxi, rideshare, hire car and other point to point transport drivers, as well as staff that work at service providers, cannot leave these LGAs to work. 

Can drivers provide passenger services within their local government area?

  • Point to point transport drivers who reside in these LGAs can provide a passenger service within the LGA they live in if someone needs to travel for an essential reason, as outlined in the Public Health Order.

Can drivers provide health care and social assistance passenger services outside of the five LGAs? 

  • In the Authorised Workers list, anyone transporting passengers solely for the specified health care and social assistance activities listed is exempt when providing the services necessary for that activity.  
  • Drivers are only considered an Authorised Worker whilst providing the health care and social assistance passenger services listed. No additional work can be conducted outside the LGA.
  • If you live in the Fairfield LGA and leave the area as an authorised worker, you must have COVID-19 test once every 72 hours (3 days) to be allowed to go to work as an authorised worker. You must have proof of your COVID-19 test such as an SMS text message on your phone or an email addressed to you.
  • Please see our COVID-19 July 2021 FAQs for further information.  

All other restrictions currently in place across Greater Sydney including the Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour, and Orange, Blayney and Cabonne councils remain in place. 

For further information and points of clarification on what the latest updates mean for the point to point transport industry, please see our FAQs.

Vaccination – a priority

In line with the Premier and Chief Health Officer’s comments, getting vaccinated is a priority in NSW more than ever before. Please reinforce this message with drivers and staff and encourage them to check their eligibility.

Update to exemptions on masks – proof must be carried at all times

Overnight, the Public Health Order on mandatory mask wearing was updated to require anybody with an exemption to carry evidence of their exemption on them at all times. This is so proof of exemption can be provided at any time on request to an enforcement officer.

Evidence can be:

  •  a medical certificate
  • other written evidence signed by a registered health practitioner or a registered NDIS provider
  • a statutory declaration by the person.

 The evidence must set out the medical condition, or disability which makes wearing a mask unsuitable.  We recommend people carry the original and two copies as a copy may need to be provided to an enforcement officer if requested. 

Do drivers need to check evidence if a passenger is not wearing a mask? 

  • No, this Public Health Order measure is for the purpose of police enforcement and drivers are not responsible for checking. If a passenger is not wearing a mask and does not have evidence and police check the vehicle, the passenger will be fined - not the driver. 
  • Drivers can remind passengers that mask wearing in point to point transport vehicles is mandatory in NSW (except for children 12 and under and persons with a physical or mental health illness or condition, or disability that makes wearing a fitted face covering unsuitable) and if they are not carrying proof of an exemption, they face the risk of penalties.  

Queensland border closure

The Queensland border effectively closed to NSW from 1.00am, Friday 23 July. More information, particularly if you live in the cross-border area or are providing essential services, can be found on the Queensland Government’s Coronavirus website.

Staying COVID safe - complimentary sanitisation kits and masks available

  • All regional service providers are entitled to complimentary packs of 50 disposable face masks, available online via the Commissioner’s industry portal.

Please stay vigilant

  • Drivers must wear a mask at all times while in the vehicle (unless you have an exemption). This means even when a passenger is not in the vehicle. Fines apply.
  • Passengers must wear a mask (unless you have an exemption). Fines apply
  • Do not travel if unwell, stay home and get tested immediately 
  • Drivers must check-in using the vehicle’s NSW Government QR code at the start of the shift and they should also check out when their shift is finished 
  • Drivers should encourage passengers to check-in using the NSW Government QR code in their vehicle
  • Drivers who are eligible are encouraged to get vaccinated, for more information on vaccinations please go here.
  • Practise good hygiene
  • Set the air conditioning to external airflow rather than to recirculation, or have windows open where appropriate
  • Passengers should sit in the backseat of the vehicle
  • Encourage passengers to use contactless payments where possible
  • Passengers should handle their own luggage where possible

We will continue to update you and thank the industry for its continued commitment to keep passengers, drivers and the community safe during this challenging time. 

Head to the NSW Government website for the latest COVID-19 information.
 

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