Vaccine mandate flagged for truck drivers and other logistics workers entering Western Australia

The West Australian government will make Covid-19 vaccinations mandatory for “at risk” transport, freight and logistics workers from late next month.

From 12.01am on October 24, workers will need to have had at least their first jab to enter WA if they have travelled through a “high” or an “extreme” risk jurisdiction.

These workers will need to be fully vaccinated within two months of their first dose, which means they must have received their second dose by December 24.

It will be the responsibility of employers to collect and maintain records of vaccinated workers.

The WA government will change the transport, freight and logistics directions under the Emergency Management Act to introduce the mandate, with Premier Mark McGowan flagging the new rules on Friday.

“I have a lot of admiration for the people who work in transport, freight and logistics,” he told reporters.

“They have been keeping our nation and our economy going. But given the nature of their work, we can never be too vigilant.”

A truck driver who travelled through South Australia and WA last week sparked concern when he tested positive to Covid-19 after returning to NSW.

He has not been linked to any new cases and most of his close and casual contacts in WA have already returned negative test results.

The WA government says its vaccine mandate will cover, but is not limited to, freight truck drivers, pilot/support vehicle drivers, removalists, rail drivers and rail support crew, with exemptions for approved medical reasons.

In addition to the mandatory vaccination requirement, these workers must also wear a face mask when in public, show proof of a negative Covid-19 test result or undertake a rapid antigen test at the WA border.

If they are staying in WA, they must comply with the regular testing regimen until 14 days has passed.

Mr McGowan said Victoria would join NSW in the “extreme” risk category from 12.01am on September 29, due to escalating coronavirus cases.

It means both Victorian and NSW residents will be forbidden from entering WA even for compassionate reasons, as both states battle their respective Delta variant outbreaks.

Only certain officials are exempt and they must quarantine.

Tasmania, SA and the Northern Territory are currently considered “very low” risk, while Queensland is “low” risk, and the ACT is at the “medium” setting.

Each day, there are about 300 crossings of the WA border by transport, freight and logistics workers.