Curfews Go As VIC Government Recognises Essential Freight Workers

National Road Transport Association

The Victorian Government has listened to industry pleas and reversed its decision to re-introduce heavy vehicle curfews, the National Road Transport Association says.

NatRoad has greeted today’s announcement that heavy vehicles delivering essential items to retail premises will be exempt from truck curfews until 7 April 2022 as a win.

“We warned in November that the re-introduction of curfews was going to hit already disrupted supply chains and it’s always encouraging when a government listens and acts,” said NatRoad Chairman Scott Davidson.

“Any sensible action that any government can take to make the freight task easier in stressful times should be acknowledged.

“The exemption means deliveries can be made to supermarkets and pharmacies facing high demand for food, medicine and COVID testing kits.”

“It will be reviewed in early April and we urge the Andrews Government to make it permanent.”

NatRoad has also welcomed the Victorian Government’s announcement that many transport workers will be exempt from close contact isolation requirements from 12 January 2022.

“We note that this applies where necessary for continuity of operations and when other options have been exhausted.

“Also, exempted workers must be asymptomatic, undertake daily Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT) for five days and return a negative result prior to attending work.

“We recognise that this exemption brings truck drivers into line with critical healthcare workers in Victoria and as essential workers, neither should have to foot the cost.

“We are hopeful that governments will make RATs available to both groups, free-of-charge.”

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