WA have issued a new Transport, Freight and Logistics Directive 5 that now includes the requirement to have the first dose of the COVID vaccination to enter WA if coming from a high or extreme risk area (currently NSW, VIC) effective from SUNDAY 24 OCTOBER 2021.
All drivers entering must have a valid G2G Pass
Drivers arriving from HIGH OR EXTRMEME RISK AREAS, must have by 12.01am SUNDAY 24TH OCTOBER:
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- evidence of at least ONE DOSE OF THE COVID VACCINATION or Produce evidence of being Vaccine Ineligible or Vaccine Exempt AND
- evidence of a *PCR Covid Test in the past 72 hours taken by an appropriately trained and qualified health care worker.
*If the test result has not been received, the driver can only enter if:
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- if the driver is entering WA at the Eucla border or the Kununurra border, the driver has undertaken a Rapid Antigen Test in the vicinity of the Eucla border or the Kununurra border (as applicable) immediately prior to entering WA; or
- an authorised officer has approved the driver entering WA notwithstanding that the driver has not undertaken a rapid antigen test as required under subparagraph (a) and the driver complies with any terms or conditions to which that approval is subject.
AND THEN BY 12:01AM ON FRIDAY 24 December 2021
- has had at least TWO DOSES OF THE COVID VACCINATION; OR
- is vaccine ineligible or vaccine exempt and produces evidence of this to the satisfaction of a relevant officer on request.
Drivers arriving from MEDIUM OR LOW or VERY LOW RISK AREAS, must
- have evidence of negative result from a test within the past FIVE DAYS OR
- *comply with the 24 hour presentation protocol within 24 hours of arriving in WA:
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- go to a COVID Clinic as early as possible within that 24 hour period;
- inform a relevant officer at the COVID Clinic that they are required to attend the COVID Clinic under these directions; and
- comply with any instruction which a relevant officer at the COVID Clinic gives to them; and
- answer truthfully if a relevant officer at the COVID Clinic asks the driver to describe their state of health or whether the driver has or has had any symptoms; and
- remain at the COVID Clinic until the driver has been tested, or a relevant officer has instructed the driver that they may leave the COVID Clinic.
*Note: this paragraph DOES NOT require a person to be tested for COVID-19. A person must consent to be tested for COVID-19 unless they are directed to have the test by an emergency officer under the Public Health Act 2016 (WA).
Face Masks - wear a face mask when the driver is in public or in the same room with one or more other persons unless one or more of the face covering exceptions apply at that time. (this does not apply to drivers from Very Low Risk Areas)
Rules for two up drivers
If a driver fails a Rapid Antigen Test, then the other driver will also be tested.
Both drivers must then:
- travel to a location directed by an authorised officer in a manner directed by that authorised officer; and
- on arrival at that location, inform a relevant officer that:
- they have recorded a non-negative test result in response to a rapid antigen test; or
- where applicable, they are accompanying a driver who has recorded a non-negative test result; and
- comply with any directions or instructions given by a relevant officer.
Rules for furniture removalists - see point 34 in the Directions
Accommodation outside of truck (if required for rest)
(this does not apply to drivers from Very Low Risk areas)
- only stay in suitable accommodation
- stay in alloted room and not have any visitors
- not leave alloted room unless there is a threat to safety or if is in their own home, only utilise other areas of that home that are not occupied by any other person
- obtain food or refreshments via room service or delivery only and using contactless payment where practicable unless the driver has been at the suitable accommodation for a continuous period of more than 48 hours, in which case the driver may leave the suitable accommodation to obtain food or beverages in accordance with paragraph 28; and
- keep the door closed unless accepting food deliveries or visited an relevant officer/authorised officer.
Leaving vehicle restrictions
Drivers must not enter any place of business or publicly accessible indoor space unless:
- such entry is required or permitted under these directions; or
- such entry is necessary:
- for the purposes of the driver's duties as a transport, freight and logistics driver; or
- to obtain food, beverages, fuel or other necessities where such items cannot be obtained by delivery to the driver or in another contactless manner; or
- to obtain or access goods or services for health or medical purposes.
Close Contact Records
Drivers take reasonable steps to keep details of people they come into contact while in WA. Link to form
If driver is in WA longer than 7 days
The driver must comply with the seven day presentation protocol for a period ending 14 days after the day on which the driver entered Western Australia.
Protocol to follow if driver receives a positive COVID test whilst in WA
If a driver receives a positive result or is informed that they have been diagnosed with COVID-19 from a test outside of WA from an approved testing methodology outside of WA (other than rapid antigen test undertaken) the driver must:
- immediately telephone 13 COVID (13 268 43) and tell the operator that they have been diagnosed with COVID-19 as a result of a test that was conducted outside of Western Australia; and
- comply with the Isolation (Diagnosed) Directions (No 2) as if the transport, freight and logistics driver had been informed by a relevant officer that they had tested positive for COVID-19.
If a driver receives a positive result from a test in WA they must comply with the Isolation (Diagnosed) Directions (No 2).