From Wednesday, 21 September 2022, rules around mask wearing requirements are changing in NSW. Masks will no longer be mandatory on public transport including point to point transport vehicles.
What does this mean for the industry?
Drivers and passengers are no longer required to wear a mask when travelling in taxis, hire and rideshare vehicles throughout a passenger service. This includes waiting areas such as at taxi ranks or rideshare pickup/ drop off areas.
Can drivers choose to wear a mask throughout the passenger service?
Yes, drivers may continue to wear a mask for extra protection against the spread of illness.
Can a driver enforce a passenger to wear a mask throughout a passenger service?
No. From 21 September 2022, passengers will no longer be required to wear a mask.
The Commissioner strongly recommends drivers who provide passenger services to vulnerable members of the community such as the elderly and immunocompromised persons to continue to wear a mask. It is also recommended that drivers continue to apply the following safety measures:
- Passengers should sit in the back seat
- Use contactless payment methods where available
- Staying home if unwell, taking a COVID-19 test straight away and self-isolating
- Drivers are encouraged to sanitise their vehicle at the end of each shift
- Stay up to date with vaccinations – for both flu and COVID-19
Tested positive to COVID-19? Here’s what you must do:
Five steps to take if you test positive to COVID-19
Anyone who tests positive must comply with the Testing positive to COVID-19 and managing COVID-19 safely at home fact sheet which includes the following 5 actions:
- Register your rapid antigen test on the Service NSW website.
- Self-isolate immediately for 5 days from the day you did your test.
- Do not enter certain high-risk settings for 7 days from the day you tested positive. This includes hospital premises, public clinics and private health facilities, residential aged care, and residential disability care facilities. All drivers must pay careful consideration to the pickup and drop-off locations before accepting a passenger service.
- Tell people that you live with that you have tested positive and self-isolate from them as much as possible. Your household contacts must follow the advice in the NSW Health Household and Close Contact Guidelines for 7 days after you tested positive.
- Tell people you spent time with from the two days before you started having symptoms or two days before you tested positive (whichever came first) that you have COVID-19.
Stay up to date
We will continue to inform the industry as new information and updates to public health orders become available.
For more information, see the NSW Government website.