The NSW Police Commissioner has confirmed that truck stops and roadhouses will be reopened to support the trucking and freight industry conduct its business during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Commissioner has advocated for a solution which strikes a balance between road safety, delivery of essential goods, as well as enforcement of the Public Health Orders to limit the spread of the delta strain of COVID-19.
Commissioner Fuller acknowledged NSW Health for working closely with police to ensure this common-sense approach will be reflected in the Public Health Orders to ensure the state's transportation workers are able to conduct their work safely.
"As the state is coping with lockdown measures to limit the spread of COVID-19, the delivery of essential goods is more important than ever," Commissioner Fuller said.
"Our essential transportation workers need to have the access to truck stop facilities to ensure that they can revive and refresh to ensure that they can manage their fatigue as they perform these vital delivery and freight services.
"Each day during this pandemic, we are encountering new and emerging issues and I thank NSW Health for working so swiftly with us to resolve this very important issue," he said.
From 2pm today (Sunday 22 August 2021), roadside trucking services such as dedicated services stations and roadhouses will be open to ensure that trucking workers have the amenities they need to conduct their operations safely and efficiently. This will include dining, showers and toilet amenities. These services and facilities will not be open to the public.
Roadhouses will be required to develop COVID-safe plans to ensure that business operations can comply with Public Health Order restrictions to limit the spread of the virus. This will include:
- QR check ins
- Ensuring adequate spacing and cleaning, particularly in dining facilities
- Hand hygiene facilities
- Enforcing mask wearing requirements; and any other strategies to minimise the risk of the virus spreading.
Dining areas will not be available to the public and will need to be partitioned off to ensure that the facility is clearly marked as only available for truck and transportation workers.
***The definition of a truck and transportations worker is in accordance with the National Freight Movement Protocol and Code - a freight worker who drives a heavy vehicle over 4.5GVM, rail crew, or workers who support the supply chain of a heavy vehicle or train. ***
Anyone with information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of COVID-19-related ministerial directions is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
