1 February 2021 | Update from Department of Resources
Please find below the latest information on COVID-19 from Department of Resources and how it relates to the resources sector:
Border changes and COVID-19 hotspots
From 1am AEST 1 February 2021 there are no declared hotspots in New South Wales.
From 7.55pm AEST on Sunday 31 January 2021, Metropolitan Perth, Peel or the South West regions of Western Australia are declared COVID-19 hotspots, meaning travel from these areas to Queensland is restricted.
Anyone who has been in a hotspot in the last 14 days or since the hotspot was declared (whichever is shorter), will only be able to enter Queensland if they are a returning Queensland resident or required to enter for a limited range of permitted purposes, such as essential activities.
Queensland residents returning from a hotspot must quarantine for 14 days on entering Queensland in government arranged accommodation at their own expense.
Specialist and essential worker exemption process
There is no change to the current specialist and essential worker application process. All applications must be progressed via the Health portal in the first instance.
Read more about the specialist worker application process.
IMPORTANT: Specialist or essential workers in Queensland to complete an essential activity will need to keep and retain records of close contacts while they are in Queensland, for two weeks after arriving here.
Entering Queensland
Any resources worker who arrives in Queensland from Metropolitan Perth, Peel or the South West regions of Western Australia from 7.55pm AEST 31 January 2021, must quarantine in government arranged accommodation at their own expense, unless they hold a specialist or essential worker exemption.
If the worker is already in Queensland, and has been in Metropolitan Perth, Peel or the South West regions of Western Australia since 1am AEST 25 January 2021, they should immediately get tested – even if they have no symptoms, and isolate until they receive a negative result.
The worker can quarantine on a worksite as long as that site has a quarantine management planand they continue to follow COVID safe practices.
Travelling through a hotspot
If workers have had a layover in an airport located in a hotspot they will be able to enter Queensland if they did not leave the airport. They will need to complete a Queensland Border Declaration Pass.
If travelling by road, workers must drive straight through the hotspot to a non-hotspot without stopping except to obtain essential fuel or to manage driver fatigue. They must wear a mask when exiting the vehicle in a hotspot, and not interact with the community.
Border Declaration Pass
You only need to complete a Queensland Border Declaration Pass if you have been in any part of Western Australia in the 14 days prior to arriving in Queensland.
Resources workers should allow up to three business days for border pass applications to be processed.