Federal & State border control measures relating to outbound SA resource sector workers as at 20 November 2020 12 noon AEST - South ...
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Federal & State border control measures relating to outbound SA resource sector workers as at
20 November 2020 12 noon AEST
Jurisdiction Border Control Measure
Overview • On 19 November, the Victorian Government announced it will implement 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.
• On 19 November, the NT revoked the earlier declaration of SA as a statewide hotspot, amending the declaration to Adelaide city
and surrounding suburbs.
• On 18 November, the SA Premier announced a six-day lockdown. FIFO movements, construction activities, and non-essential
operations across the resources and energy sector are to stop for six days.
• On 17 November, the SA Department for Energy and Mining released an alert indicating that contact tracing for the latest
‘Parafield cluster’ in SA has led to the instigation of COVID-19 protocols at two sites in SA’s resources and energy sector over the
past 24 hours. On-site contact tracing, precautionary testing and isolation arrangements have been put in play at both sites in line
with their approved COVID plans.
• On 16 November, the South Australian Premier announced new restrictions will come into effect in SA from 17 November,
including limits on gathering sizes, a suspension on incoming international flights, and closure of gyms and recreation centres. South
Australian residents have been advised to stay at home, avoid travel and wear a mask where it’s not possible to physically distance
(particularly on public transport).
• 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 South Australia’s border remains closed to Victoria.
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.
The final details of the permit scheme are expected to be release by the Victorian Government shortly. Initial indications are that
the reasons to enter Victoria from South Australia from Saturday night will include:
• if you are an emergency services worker or a worker providing essential services
• for agricultural work
• to receive medical care (including seeking coronavirus
• testing), obtain medical supplies or compassionate reasons
• to shop to obtain essential supplies
NSW As stated on 16 November 2020, NSW border remains open to SA.
Tasmania As from 16 November 2020, Victoria (VIC) and South Australia (SA) are 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.
Travellers currently in self-isolation or quarantine due to having spent time in South Australia since Saturday 7 November 2020 can choose
to leave the State if they aren’t experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
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 19 November, the NT revoked the earlier declaration of SA as a statewide hotspot, amending the declaration to Adelaide city and
Territory surrounding suburbs.
Arrivals from declared hotspot areas are required to complete 14 days of mandatory supervised quarantine for which they will be charged
$2,500.
Mandatory supervised quarantine will be at the Howard Springs quarantine facility or another approved facility elsewhere in the NT.
People in supervised quarantine will be subject to testing before exiting quarantine. If you refuse a test, there will be 10 days added to your
quarantine time.
Exemptions granted before 17 July are revoked.
All arrivals must complete an arrival border crossing application a recommended 72 hours in advance of travel.
There are very limited exemptions to support Transport or freight of essential, critical or urgent items into, within or out of the NT; essential,
critical or urgent maintenance or repair of power, water, communications or other infrastructure, provided a management plan approved by
the NT Chief Health Officer.
Travel through hotspots
A person is taken not to have been in a COVID-19 hotspot if the person has been in a COVID-19 hotspot only in one or more of the
following circumstances:
a) the person travelled through a hotspot in or on a motor vehicle, public transport or a bicycle and did not leave the vehicle,
disembark the public transport or dismount the bicycle while in the hotspot;
b) the person was only at an airport located in a hotspot;c) the person travelled into or out of a hotspot by motor vehicle, public transport or bicycle directly to or from an airport located in the
hotspot and did not leave the vehicle, disembark the public transport or dismount the bicycle while in the hotspot except to enter or
leave the airport;
d) the person:
a. arrived by aircraft or motor vehicle from outside a hotspot; and
b. b. travelled directly to a hotel that is within 5 km of an airport (an airport hotel) located in a hotspot for the purposes of
overnight stay while transiting; and c. did not leave the hotel room (except in an emergency) until departing the hotel to travel
directly to the airport.
Queensland 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 hereYou can also read
