The Queensland Chief Health Officer has made a number of border restriction Declarations throughout March and April. Updated information on the latest restrictions can be found on the Queensland Health website. Currently, people are not be able to enter Queensland unless they are an ‘exempt person’ or an ‘exempt resident. Certain critical resource workers are considered ‘exempt persons’. Below are some frequently asked questions about the border restrictions which are relevant to the resource sector. QRC will endeavour to keep this information up to date as the situation progresses. Who is allowed to enter Queensland? Those living outside of Queensland who provide critical services to Queensland are considered ‘exempt persons’. This includes: • National/state security • Essential health services • Emergency services • Transport of goods or freight by land, sea or air, including food • Critical maintenance/repair to critical infrastructure in Queensland • Construction, mining/energy/agribusinesses (and see below for specific requirements for FIFO workers in these sectors) • Federal, state or local government workers or contractors who are required to enter Queensland to work.

In collaboration with the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA), the Association of Mining and Exploration Companies (AMEC) and the Minerals Council of Australia (MCA), QRC seeks your feedback through a survey on the Queensland Specialist Worker Exemption process. This will assist the Queensland Government make any necessary improvements to ensure movement of workers essential to the resources sector. Click here to complete the survey

The Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy have advised that they have commenced the process of identifying for the Chief Health Officer’s approval, those individuals who meet the criteria to be regarded as critical resource sector workers.

Queensland Health have today provided the following information regarding laboratories testing COVID-19 samples. Testing will be performed by Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology at their Bowen Hills laboratory. Once the specimen has reached the laboratory, the turnaround time (TAT) will be 24-72 hours. As the test numbers increase this TAT is likely to increase. The results will be released as soon as available and all positives will be notified to the referring doctor.

With imminent further curtailment of domestic intrastate and interstate flights likely in the next 48 hours, resource companies are strongly advised to put in place plans to use charter flights for the FIFO component of their workforce.

Updated Health Directive to exclude resource sector mess facilities from being required to close.

A note from Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy - COVID-19 advice for Queensland's resources sector.

QLD border restrictions and classification of 'essential' workers. MCA and APPEA national guidelines links included.

As per Queensland Health directives, companies should be implementing the measures included in this update to ensure social distancing protocols are not being compromised.

We are urgently seeking your feedback in response to the Mineral Council of Australia's (MCA) Northern Territory Division – COVID-19 response protocols commitment having regard to the Northern Territory Government's border control measures. Please respond by midnight tonight (23 March 2020) to MCA's Sid Marris (Sid.Marris@minerals.org.au) and CC QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane (ianm@qrc.org.au and liannere@qrc.org.au). We thank you for your assistance.