As announced this week by the Premier, from 6pm Friday 22 April, there will be updates to the PHO in relation to close contacts and self-isolation requirements. Here’s what the point to point transport industry needs to know.
Changes to close contacts of COVID-19 cases
From 6pm on Friday 22 April, close contacts (household contact or an individual deemed by NSW Health to be a close contact) will not have to isolate, if they don’t have symptoms.
This means if a driver is a close contact to a person who has tested positive, they can continue to provide passenger services if it is in line with their service provider’s COVID safe plan. They must, however, also comply with the following guidelines for 7 days from the date of the COVID-19 positive person’s test:
- wear a face mask in indoor settings outside the home
- undertake daily rapid antigen tests before coming into close contact with people outside their household.
o This means that a driver who is a close contact must complete a rapid antigen test and receive a negative result before beginning their shift. If you are at higher risk of severe illness you should get a PCR test as per advice from Health. - do not visit aged care, hospitals, disability, and correctional facilities unless a special exemption applies
- avoid contact with elderly and immunocompromised persons where possible
- notify their service provider that they are a close contact, and that they are not required to isolate as long as they comply with the above.
Tested positive to COVID-19?
There are no changes for people who test positive to COVID-19. They must self-isolate for 7 days from the date of their positive test.
Anyone testing positive by rapid antigen test (RAT) must register the result with Service NSW. Service providers should remind drivers that they must also advise their service providers that they’ve tested positive.
When a taxi or booking service provider becomes aware that a driver has tested positive for COVID (either via PCR or RAT), they must immediately notify the Commissioner by completing the COVID-19 reporting form via the Industry Portal.
Mandatory mask wearing is still mandatory
Mask wearing continues to be mandatory in all point to point transport vehicles across NSW and provides essential protection against the spread of illness.
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
Order your Driver Sanitisation Packs
Individual complimentary Driver Sanitisation Packs are available for all authorised service providers.
Authorised service providers are able to order Driver Sanitisation Packs via the Industry Portal. The packs include: masks, gloves, wipes, hand sanitiser and Rapid Antigen Tests. These easy to access and use packs mean that drivers are able to sanitise their vehicles conveniently and efficiently and keep COVID safe.
Stay up to date
We will continue to inform the industry as new information and updates to the Public Health Order become available.
Thank you for your continued support in helping to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and protect the community. For more information, see the NSW Government website.