COVID-19 2nd WAVE STAGE 3 RESTRICTIONS EFFECTS ON VICTORIAN CPV INDUSTRY

Transport Alliance Australia Directors were present at today’s Commercial Passenger Vehicles Victoria’s meeting regarding the latest COVID-19 pandemic restrictions in Victoria.  The topics discussed were:-

• ​Melbourne Metro and Mitchell Shire lockdowns
• Victoria/NSW Border Closure for 90 days
• Transportation of Passengers in a CPV
• Handling of Passenger Luggage
• Face Masks for Drivers
• Protection Screens

Below is a summary of today's meeting:-

​MELBOURNE METRO & MITCHELL SHIRE (includes Kilmore, Seymour and Wallan)

• are under Stage 3 restrictions effective as at 11:59pm 8 July 2020, for 6 weeks until August 19 2020.

• With the exception of essential services, everyone MUST stay within their environments and are not allowed to travel across the state. 
• CPVs will continue to be treated as public transport/essential service. 
• There is no requirement that the drivers have to confirm the reason why their passengers are travelling.  It is also not the responsibility of the drivers or operators to question why or who are travelling.

 
VICTORIA / NSW BORDER CLOSURE – FOR 90 DAYS
This is being enforced and administered by the NSW government. 
Early this morning there were 2kms queue to cross the border from Victoria into NSW.  Currently the queues are around 400 metres.
This closure is operating on a permit system for EVERYONE.  Regardless of the person’s status – essential services, freight operator, travelling home, caring for relatives, seeking health assistance, travelling to work, students, etc.,

• EVERYONE must have a Permit to travel across the border.
• Permit will be valid for 14 days. 
• Individuals must apply for the permit.
• No bulk applications for permits are allowed.
• EVERYONE (not just the Driver) travelling in a vehicle MUST have a permit.
• For booked jobs the BSP should be checking that passengers have a permit. 
• It is not the CPV Driver’s responsibility to check the passenger has a permit, but everyone is encouraged to check before the trip commences.
• You will not get over the border without all passengers having a permit.

 
For further details regarding the Border Permit visit
https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-covid-19-nsw-border-entry-permit#eligibility

For up-to-date information on the NSW COVID-19 border crossing visit  
https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/home/covid-19/border-crossing-information
 
SOCIAL DISTANCING

• Reminder that all drivers, passengers and other people you encounter must remain 1.5 metres apart (with the exception when travelling in a vehicle).

WHEN TRANSPORTING PASSENGERS

• They must be encouraged to travel in the back seats – whenever possible.
• Turn off the recycled air.
• Have windows slightly down to increase air flow.
• Sanitising and cleaning standards for the CPV must be of high quality and must be rigidly adhered to.
• Driver cleaning and hygiene routines need to be of the highest standard.
• If you transport in or out of the High Risk Suburbs, ensure that you sanitise yourself and your vehicle as soon as the passengers have been delivered.

 
COVID-19 FREE Hygiene Awareness For Passenger Transport Drivers

• A FREE on-line course for drivers of personalised transport vehicles with information on suitable hygiene practices for the current COVID-19 pandemic & beyond. Enrol today for free! 
• Visit https://www.drvrtraining.com/courses/hygiene-for-drivers

 
PASSENGER LUGGAGE

• It is preferable that CPV Drivers DO NOT handle passenger’s luggage.
• If it is necessary to lift them in or out of your vehicle, the Driver SHOULD :-
  • Use gloves,
  • Dispose of the gloves after one use,
  • Wash hands with Soap and Water, or use Hand Sanitiser immediately after handling the luggage.

 
FACE MASKS FOR DRIVERS

• These are not a mandatory requirement by government, but some BSPs and some drivers are choosing to wear them, which is totally okay. 
• Drivers must be informed on how to:-
  • wear them properly,
  • how to correctly dispose of disposable face masks,
  • how to wash/clean other face masks.
• Note that face masks are not fully protective, but rather another layer of protection.

 
PROTECTION SCREENS

• These are not a mandatory requirement by government, but some BSPs and some drivers are choosing to install them in their CPVs, which is totally okay. 
• Drivers MUST be informed on how to clean them properly.
• Note that Protection Screens are not fully protective, but rather another layer of protection.

 
 REMEMBER - If you are unwell DON’T WORK – get TESTED – and STAY HOME