Federal & State border control measures relating to outbound SA resource sector workers as at 27 November 2020 12 noon ACST - South ...
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Federal & State border control measures relating to outbound SA resource sector workers as at
27 November 2020 12 noon ACST
Jurisdiction Border Control Measure
Overview • On 27 November, the South Australian Premier announced border restrictions with Victoria will be lifted from midnight on Monday
30 November. People entering South Australia from Victoria will still need to complete a cross border pre approval prior to travel
however, a commitment to evaluate the ongoing need to complete a prior approval was announced.
• On 26 November the Victoria government advised it will continue to monitor the hard border with SA implemented on 21
November. A permit is required to enter Victoria from South Australia unless an exemption applies. People who live in the
previously established 70km cross-border bubble between Victoria and South Australia will not require a new permit, but they will be
required to use existing permits from the South Australian Government, or their drivers licence to cross the border.
• On 25 November, the Queensland Premier announced the Queensland border will open to Victoria on December 1. Visitors from
Victoria will no longer be required to quarantine for 14 days when entering Queensland. There's no decision on Adelaide yet with 20
local government areas still declared hotspots at this stage.
• On 24 November, the Queensland Premier announced Queensland will allow residents from Greater Sydney to enter the state from
December 1, in an easing of coronavirus border restrictions. Visitors from New South Wales will no longer be required to quarantine
for 14 days when entering Queensland.
• On 21 November the NT revoked Greater Adelaide as a hotspot.
• On 20 November, the South Australian Premier announced that the Stay at Home Direction will be revoked at midnight on
Saturday 21 November. FIFO movements, construction activities, and nonessential operations across the resources and energy
sector will be able return to operations with restrictions as per 16 November 2020.
• On 16 November, the Tasmanian Premier asked travellers who have come to Tasmania from South Australia since 7 November
2020 to immediately self-isolate. Travellers arriving from 16 November 2020 should quarantine at either their residence or
accommodation upon arrival.
• On 16 November, the Queensland Premier announced the state will close the border to Adelaide as of midnight tonight after the
city was declared a coronavirus hotspot. As of 11:59pm on 16 November, anyone who arrives into Queensland from Adelaide will
have to undergo mandatory hotel quarantine at their own expense.
• On 16 November, ACT residents were advised to avoid non-essential travel to SA by ACT Health. No changes to border
arrangements have been announced.• On 15 November, WA announced changes to its controlled interstate border arrangements with South Australia, with anyone
arriving from South Australia to be given a Direction to self-quarantine for 14 days in a suitable premise.
• On 13 November, state and territory Ministers struck an agreement that will enable Australians to travel between all states and
territories except Western Australia by Christmas.
Victoria Victoria’s border remains closed to South Australia.
Victorian Government has advised it will continue to monitor the hard border with SA implemented on 21 November. A permit is required
to enter Victoria from South Australia unless an exemption applies. People who live in the previously established 70km cross-border bubble
between Victoria and South Australia will not require a new permit, but they will be required to use existing permits from the South Australian
Government, or their drivers licence to cross the border.
Victorian Government has implemented temporary border controls with South Australia. From 11:59 pm Thursday 19 November, a ‘hard
border’ will be in place for 48 hours before a permit system comes into effect from 11:59 pm Saturday 21 November. During the 48 hour
period, only freight drivers and those with medical or emergency reasons, urgent animal welfare or as authorised by law will be able to pass
through the border.
NSW As stated on 16 November 2020, NSW border remains open to SA.
Tasmania South Australia (SA) remains classified as medium risk areas.
Travellers who have spent time in VIC or SA during the 14 days before arriving in Tasmania, are required to quarantine upon arrival in
Tasmania, but may be permitted to undertake their quarantine at home or approved suitable premises.
The G2G pass system is the most effective way to provide information about an intended quarantine location.
Tasmanian fly-in fly-out (FIFO) workers from medium-risk areas can apply to return to Tasmania as Essential Travellers.
Successful applicants do not need to quarantine when they arrive, but must comply with specified conditions while in Tasmania, including
monitoring themselves for symptoms of COVID-19 and being tested if symptoms arise.
ACT ACT border remains open to SA.
Travel is permitted between SA and ACT by air or road without the need for quarantine.Northern On 21 November the NT revoked Greater Adelaide as a hotspot. Travel is now permitted between SA & NT.
Territory
All arrivals must complete an arrival border crossing application a recommended 72 hours in advance of travel.
Queensland Adelaide remains listed as a hotspot in Queensland with a review scheduled at the end of November.
On Monday, 11:59pm 16 November 2020, Queensland declared Adelaide a hotspot, all travellers from Adelaide will have to go into
quarantine and anyone currently in the Sunshine State who has been in SA since 9/11/20 will have to self-isolate
From 10 November 2020 a new border declaration pass system was put in place. All entrants to Queensland must have a valid Queensland
Border Declaration Pass in the 7 days before entering the state and provide an undertaking that the person will present for a COVID-19 test
if the person develops symptoms consistent with COVID-19 within 14 days of entering Queensland.
Limited exemptions for resource sector employees coming from hotspots
The Queensland border remains closed to anyone who has been in a COVID-19 hotspot in the last 14 days – however an exemption is
available for employees of resource companies for under the ‘specialist worker’ exemption. (see: section 6 paragraph (5) of Schedule 1 of the
border direction). To qualify the following must be demonstrated:
• the service provided by the person cannot be obtained in Queensland
• the service must be provided without delay
• the person must be physically present in Queensland to provide the service or perform the duty
• the person’s employer has a plan, including an approved quarantine management plan, to manage preventing the spread of COVID-
19.
A person entering Queensland under this exemption must only remain in Queensland for the time necessary to carry out the activity and
must follow other obligations set out in Schedule 1 the direction, including requirements to keep close contact records and minimise contact
with the community.
The QLD Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy has developed a guideline and online form allowing resources sector
companies to apply for a specialist worker exemption for employees travelling from declared COVID-19 hotpots.After receiving an exemption, a Queensland Border Declaration Pass must also be completed.
Queensland residents
Queensland residents who have been in a COVID-19 hotspot can return home but will be required to quarantine in government provided
accommodation at their expense. This includes new residents.
Travelling through hotspots
People travelling to Queensland from another State or Territory who pass through a hotspot by road do not have to quarantine if they meet
these conditions:
• Travel the most direct route through the hotspot in a private vehicle or a taxi/ rideshare,
• Wear a face mask if travelling via taxi or rideshare
• Do not exit the vehicle except to deal with an emergency or as directed by police or transport authority.
Workers who live outside of a hotspot may travel directly through a hotspot to enter an airport and leave a hotspot. For example, FIFO
workers living in areas of New South Wales that are not declared as hotspots may catch a taxi to the Sydney airport to fly to Queensland for
work. It is a requirement to wear a protective mask while travelling through a hotspot in a taxi or rideshare.
Western On Monday 16 November 2020, Western Australia declared South Australia a hotspot. Anyone who has arrived at Perth Airport from South
Australia Australia from 15/11/2020 is being tested for COVID-19, either on arrival or within 24hrs of arrival and must self quarantine for 14 days
Entry permits can be applied for here.
Criteria for exemptions are outlined in the Quarantine (Closing the Border) Directions.
Exemption categories Relevant exemption categories for the resources sector include:
• Specialist skills not available in WA (note: WA Police are stringently applying this exemption category) – specialist skills workers will
generally have to self-quarantine for 14 days however WA police have flexibility on whether to issue a quarantine direction
• FIFO employees who are not specialists and their families must undertake 14-day quarantine in an agreed location at their
employer’s expense. The exemption only applies one-way (i.e. for FIFO workers entering WA to work, not leaving WA to work).
• transport, freight and logistics (not including airline and maritime crew members).Further information on the exemption categories can be found here
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