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Covid-19 SA Border Requirements - Essential Travellers, 28 August 2020

Friday, 28 August 2020

Information for Essential Travellers – Commercial Transport and Freight Services

28 August 2020

Freight Movement Code

National Cabinet endorsed the Freight Movement Code for the Domestic Border Controls – Freight Movement Protocol to become an enforceable Code.

For reference the Code can be found here:  Cross Border Code

It is important to note that South Australia has already implemented the majority of measures, including;

  • 7 day testing cycle, if essential travellers have not had a test within the last 7 days they will be directed by an authorised officer to obtain a test as soon as practical and within 24 hours,
  • Heavy Vehicle testing sites with hours of operation and sites under review to better reflect industry needs,
  • requirements to have the appropriate PPE and a COVID-19 safe work plan.

Future activities include working with other states to ensure that there is national recognition of COVID-19 safe work plans and proof of testing requirements.  Please ensure you obtain and keep proof of testing, eg receipt, text or photo, to show an authorised officer if requested.

COVID Marshals for Distribution Centres

The SA Government has updated the requirements for Public Activities. Public Activities

There is now a requirement for COVID Marshals at venues including freight distribution centres.  Marshals will have a highly visible presence and assist to monitor capacity, physical distancing and infection and hygiene controls.

Testing Stations

SA Pathology’s mobile collection services provides free COVID-19 testing for interstate truck drivers and interstate travellers requiring swabs. No booking required. Testing sites are located at:

  • Bordertown
    Border Site, Dukes Highway
    Open 0800 to 1600h, seven days per week
  • Mount Gambier
    Border Site, Princes Highway
    Open 0800h to 1600h, seven days per week.
  • Yamba
    Yamba Quarantine Station, National Highway, A20
    Open 0700h to 1900h, seven days per week.
  • Tailem Bend
    Caltex Service Station, 8786 Princes Hwy
    Open 0800h to 1600h, seven days per week.
  • Port Augusta
    Puma Port Augusta Truck stop, Lot 8, National Highway 1
    Open 0800h – 2300h, seven days per week.

Please note testing site hours of operation may vary depending upon staffing availability.

Road Border Entry Requirements

All Commercial Transport and Freight Services Essential Travellers into South Australia are required to complete a cross border registration form at least 72 hours prior to arrival.

Commercial Transport and Freight Services Essential Travellers approved to enter SA from NSW, ACT and Victoria must  produce evidence of having a COVID-19 test, or a COVID-19 test result, that is not more than seven days old, upon request from an Authorised Officer (eg SA Police Officer), or obtain a test within 24 hours on entering SA.

Police Officers at the border will note whether evidence of a test was sighted or a direction to obtain a test was given.  You can use the referral form you received at the border to attend a drive-through testing clinic.   SA Police has advised that some drivers are attempting to cross the border multiple times without undertaking a test and in these instances you may be denied entry by an authorised officer until you undertake a test.

All commercial transport and freight Essential Travellers who are residents of Victoria must wear a face mask when entering South Australia and self-quarantine in their truck or other private arrangements when not undertaking work-related duties. This is not a requirement for essential freight workers who are not Victorian residents.

There are no restrictions on travellers who have completed cross border registration from low community transmission zones such as NT, QLD, WA and TAS provided that they have not been in any other place than the low community transmission zone within the last 14 days. There is no requirement to self-quarantine while waiting for test results; unless displaying symptoms of COVID-19.

Maritime Crew Essential Travellers

Maritime crew arriving into South Australia from overseas via aircraft must reside and remain, quarantined and segregated from others, at a location determined by an Authorised Officer for a 14-day period starting at the time of their arrival.

Fact sheets, linked below, have been provided for the Maritime industry to detail;

Self-Quarantine Requirements

When self-quarantining, once the person has arrived at the place to commence self-quarantining they must;

  • Stay in that place segregated from other persons for the period beginning on the day of arrival and ending at midnight on the 14th day; and
  • Where they are residing and remaining at short term accommodation they must inform the owner or operator that they are self-quarantining.

For updates relevant to industry directions issued in South Australia, visit www.dpti.sa.gov.au/covidborderinfo