NSW border updates

Published

Transport for NSW is working hard to ensure that critical transport services – including those provided by taxis and hire vehicles (including rideshare) – are able to continue during the temporary NSW/Victoria border closure.

Currently, only holders of an entry permit can enter NSW from Victoria – which individuals can apply for through Service NSW

NSW has created a new exemption category under the entry permit, to allow people within the transport industry to travel between NSW and Victoria for the purpose of their duties and, provided they have a COVID-19 Safety Plan, they will not have to self-isolate.  This includes drivers for your service if you have a COVID-19 Safety Plan in place. 

The new exemption category is: Critical services – movement of freight or persons on a commercial basis. 

The new exemption requires you to have a COVID-19 Safety Plan and to share this with your drivers. Guidelines to assist the industry to complete a Safety Plan are available at NSW Government’s COVID Safe business webpage.

Consistent with the need to prepare a COVID-19 Safety Plan, Transport for NSW is asking you and your drivers to be conscious of the significantly increased health risk in Victoria, to take extra care and be vigilant in practising physical distancing, minimising contact and maintaining good hygiene practices to slow the spread of the Coronavirus. 

Any drivers displaying symptoms of COVID-19 should not be permitted to work

While all efforts are being made to ensure transport operations continue as efficiently as possible, drivers should be encouraged to plan for possible delays. You can see the latest traffic information at Live Traffic NSW.

Murray River border update

From midnight Tuesday 21 July a border zone, defined along the Murray River, will be established.

Entry to NSW from Victoria will be restricted, and exemptions for NSW residents travelling from the Victorian side of the border zone will be limited further.

Permits issued up until the commencement of the border zone will expire at midnight 21 July. If you remain eligible under the new rules you'll need to apply for a new permit.

NSW/QLD borders

All operators travelling across the Queensland border need to fill in a border declaration and display a border pass. The Queensland border pass is valid for seven days and you will need to apply for a new one after this time. More information is available at https://www.qld.gov.au/border-pass-confirmation.

There will be restricted entry for people travelling from Victoria, and the Queensland Government announced that any resident from the Campbelltown or Liverpool Local Government Areas will be denied entry into Queensland from 12pm on 14 July 2020. For information regarding operators performing an essential activity, including transport, visit the Queensland Government website.