Keeping you up to date, to help keep you safely on the road

Published

Happy New Year to all the point to point transport industry. Our first industry update for 2022 aims to provide clarity on how the latest Public Health Order update on new testing and self-isolation rules impacts the point to point transport industry.

Latest Health changes you should be aware of:

  • You must register a positive rapid antigen test (RAT) with Service NSW
  • There have been additional changes to self-isolation requirements
  • If you test positive, you and your household contacts must self-isolate at home for 7 days from the date you were tested, even if you are fully vaccinated. You can only leave self-isolation after 7 days if you do not have a sore throat, runny nose, cough or shortness of breath. 
  • If you have a sore throat, runny nose, cough or shortness of breath in the last 24 hours of your isolation, please remain in isolation until 24 hours after your symptoms have resolved. If you are concerned, call your GP

 For more information on testing and isolation requirements, visit NSW Health

FAQs

What do the latest changes mean for point to point transport service providers and drivers?

Additional information is available in our COVID-19 Reporting User Guide.

What should I do if I’m a household contact?

A household contact is someone who lives in the same household as someone who has tested positive, or spent 4 hours or longer with someone in a home, or health or aged care environment.

     a. The only exception to self-isolating for household contacts is if the household contact has previously been diagnosed with COVID-19 and it has been no more than 28 days since the person’s self-isolation period ended.

What do I do once I complete 7 days self-isolation from date of test?

You are free to leave self-isolation after 7 days from date of test, but only if you are free from symptoms such as sore throat, runny nose, cough or shortness of breath.

I have already contracted COVID-19 and have been re-exposed as a household contact, do I need to isolate for 7 days?

If you have been re-exposed within four weeks (28 days) of when you finished your initial 7 day isolation, you are not considered at risk of reinfection and do not have to isolate.

Are taxi, hire vehicle, rideshare and all point to point drivers exempt from isolation rules?

No. Taxi, hire vehicle, rideshare and all point to point transport drivers ARE NOT exempt from isolation rules, all drivers must isolate if they test positive for COVID-19 or if they are considered a household contact.

Mask wearing – it’s a must!


 Mask wearing continues to be mandatory in all point to point transport vehicles across NSW.

Drivers and passengers are required to wear a mask when travelling in taxis, hire vehicles (including rideshare) when a passenger service is being provided. This includes at a rank or rideshare pickup/ drop off area.

Mandatory mask wearing does not apply to: 

  • Children 12 and under
  • Persons with a physical or mental health illness or condition, or disability, that makes wearing a fitted face covering unsuitable

We must continue to work together to stay COVID safe.

Make every ride a COVID safe ride by:

  1. Drivers must stay at home if they feel unwell or are suffering symptoms such as sore throat, runny nose, cough or shortness of breath and take a RAT test immediately.
  2. Anyone that tests positive via a RAT test, must register their positive result via Service NSW app or online.
  3. Anyone who tests positive, must self-isolate at home and advise household contacts and social contacts.
  4. Drivers must also advise their service providers that they’ve tested positive.
  5. When a taxi or booking service provider becomes aware that a driver has tested positive for COVID (either via PCR or RAT test), they must immediately notify the Commissioner by completing the COVID-19 reporting form via the Industry Portal.
  6. Household contacts must stay at home, complete a RAT test and self-isolate for 7 days from the date of test. If the RAT test is positive:
  7. The household contact must register their positive result with Service NSW.
  • Children 12 and under
  • Persons with a physical or mental health illness or condition, or disability, that makes wearing a fitted face covering unsuitable
  • Wearing a mask at all times when providing passenger services 
  • Protecting yourself by getting vaccinated — Booster vaccinations are now available for those who are eligible
  • Maintaining safe hygiene practices including sanitising vehicle at the end of each shift (at a minimum) and utilising Vehicle Sanitisation Stations.

Stay up to date

We will continue to update the Industry as new information and updates to the Public Health Order become available.  

Tags