News

Get the latest news on COVID-19 and what it means for you.

Get the latest news on COVID-19 and what it means for you.

  • Lockdowns lifted in 12 LGAs across regional NSW

    From 1:00pm today stay-at-home orders will no longer apply in Bega Valley, Blayney, Bogan, Cabonne, Dungog, Forbes, Muswellbrook, Narrabri, Parkes, Singleton, Snowy Monaro and Upper Hunter Shire LGAs. These areas can now enjoy relaxed restrictions around in-home gatherings, hospitality, retail, major events and school after not recording any COVID-19 cases for the past 14 days. Understands what restrictions remain here.

  • Stay-at-home orders for Lismore and Albury LGAs from 6pm

    Unfortunately only days after being lifted, stay-at-home orders are being reintroduced for the Albury and Lismore Local Government Areas (LGAs) from 6pm today for one week due to increased cases. This follows Yass Valley Council which also went back into lockdown on Monday September.

    For full details on the changes to stay-at-home orders for Regional NSW Local Government Areas, visit the NSW Government website.

  • Stay-at-home order for Yass Valley Council

    To protect the people of NSW from COVID-19, new restrictions will be introduced for the Yass Valley Council area from 12.01am Tuesday 14 September for two weeks.

    A case of COVID-19 has been confirmed in the area today (Monday), following a recent positive sewage detection. Urgent investigations and contact tracing are underway.

    Following updated health advice from the Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant about the growing risk to the community, stay-at-home orders will apply to all people who live in the Yass Valley Council area or have been there on or after Thursday 9 September.

    Everyone in these areas must stay at home unless it is for an essential reason.

    The reasons you may leave your home include:

    • Shopping for food or other essential goods and services;
    • Medical care or compassionate needs (people can leave home to have a COVID-19 vaccination unless you have been identified as a close contact);
    • If you are fully vaccinated, you can attend an outdoor gathering of up to five people for exercise or outdoor recreation so long as all those at the gathering aged 16 years or over are fully vaccinated. 
    • Work, or tertiary education, where you cannot work or study from home;
    • To attend a wedding or a funeral. A maximum of 11 people can attend a wedding service. This means a maximum of five guests, the two people being married, the two witnesses, the celebrant or officiant, and one person recording the service. A maximum of 10 people can attend a funeral.

    You must wear a face mask in all indoor or outdoor areas, other than a place of residence. This includes when you are on a street, in a park, at the shops or at work. There are limited exceptions, such as where you are in a vehicle with members of your household or your nominated visitor ('singles bubble'), when exercising, when eating or drinking, and in emergencies.

    It is vital people continue to come forward for testing to help us find any COVID-19 cases in the community. The government and health experts will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updated information and advice.

    We understand this is a difficult time for the community and appreciate their ongoing patience. For more information visit the NSW Government website

  • Rapid Antigen Testing

    There’s been a lot of talk in the media about Rapid Antigen Testing. We have started rolling out Rapid Antigen Testing pilots at key Transport sites to help maintain operational resilience. The tests will provide an additional layer of protection for our employees and customers, as we maintain essential services for our community, by detecting individuals who may have no symptoms at all but who are, nevertheless, carrying the virus and infectious to others. Although not as accurate as the laboratory PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) tests, they still have a high level of accuracy and are quick and efficient to perform, with results being returned within minutes. We’ll keep you updated on the pilots as they progress.

    Read more here in the FAQs.

  • Regional lockdown to lift in some areas

    Parts of regional NSW currently deemed low risk and which have seen zero COVID cases for at least 14 days will emerge from lockdown at 12:01am Saturday 11 September, but will continue to operate under restrictions to ensure the safety of regional communities.

    Local Government Areas (LGAs) still seeing COVID case numbers will continue to follow stay-at-home orders and will be monitored by NSW Health with updates provided as circumstances develop.

    In areas where the restrictions are lifting schools will return on Monday. Our teams are working closely with NSW Health, Educaton and our Private Bus Operators on the safe return of kids to schools. We will be closely monitoring capacity and adjusting our services as necessary.

    Masks remain mandatory in all regional areas for all indoor public venues, including public transport. To ensure you continue to protect yourselves and those close to you make sure you follow all the COVIDSafe practices like checking in using the QR codes, practicing physical distancing and good hand hygiene and getting vaccinated as soon as you can. For the full details on what’s being lifted and where, visit the NSW Government website.

  • Roadmap to freedom unveiled for the fully vaccinated

    While no set date has been confirmed, the Monday after the entire state reaches 70 per cent double dose vaccinations, new freedoms will be allowed for those who are fully vaccinated. The prediction is we will reach the 70 per cent target around mid-October. It’s a great incentive for us all to get fully vaccinated as soon as we can. View the roadmap to getting back to more of the things we love here.

  • Construction worker rules and restrictions

    With the introduction of new vaccination requirements for Authorised Workers from Local Government Areas (LGAs) of concern from Monday 6 September, there has been some confusion around what this means for those who work in construction, who were already subject to vaccination requirements.

    To make sure it’s clear we have set out below exactly what the rules and restrictions are for construction workers. These are the rules and restrictions that are in place right now and will continue to be in place from Monday.

    Permits to travel for work

    • Any person who enters an LGA of concern to work at a construction site is required to register for travel.
    • Construction workers who live in an LGA of concern are required to register for travel to work outside their LGA of concern.
    • Greater Sydney workers who are authorised to travel to work at construction sites more than 50km outside of Greater Sydney must follow the rules for testing and follow the rules for regional travel registration.

    You are able to register for these required permits on the Service NSW website now. Please read more in our guide to applying for a travel permit.

    COVID-19 vaccination requirements for construction workers who live in an LGA of concern

    If you live in or are temporarily staying in a local government area of concern, you must not enter or remain at a construction site in Greater Sydney unless you have;

    • had 2 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine or
    • had one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine at least 21 days ago or
    • had one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine within the preceding 21 days and has been tested for COVID-19 within the preceding 72 hours (3 days) or
    • a certified medical contraindication and has been tested for COVID-19 within the preceding 72 hours (3 days)

    If you are required to have a COVID-19 test to enter or remain at a construction site, you must have a COVID-19 test once every 72 hours. Construction workers can request a COVID-19 vaccination exemption for medical reasons.

    Evidence of vaccination or exemption

    You must;

    • carry evidence of your vaccination, COVID-19 test, or medical exemption and
    • produce that evidence to your employer, the occupier of a construction site, a police officer or an authorised officer, if requested and
    • carry proof of your address.

    Evidence of your vaccination can include an;

    Evidence of your COVID-19 test can include an SMS text message or email from the testing organisation. Evidence of your medical exemption must be from a medical practitioner in the form approved by the NSW Chief Health Officer.

  • Let’s do this, Transport!

    As we head into another week of lockdown, the message is clearer than ever. Vaccination provides our best shot for returning to something closer to the lives we had. So let’s do this Transport!

    Look out for our new ‘Let’s do this’ campaign launching at Transport. You’ve probably seen the campaign popping up on your TV and social media urging everyone to get vaccinated and sharing their personal stories

    Getting vaccinated is our pathway to helping protect the lives of ourselves, our families and friends and our work colleagues. And it’s our way of returning to those parts of our lives that we’re missing the most – like family gatherings, eating out, being at the football game, big weddings (and the hairdressers!).

    If you’re aged 18 years or over, it’s strongly recommended that you get vaccinated with any available COVID-19 vaccine as soon as you can.

    Even if you’ve only had your first vaccination, it’s a great message to share with your family, friends and work colleagues. Who knows – your positive action might be just what someone else needs to make their appointments!

    There are some great resources you can use to help spread the word. Share this fabulous Let’s Do This video from the NSW Government on your Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or Twitter pages.

    You can also jump on to any of Transport’s social channels, and like and share the word. Visit these posts on:

    In a time like we’ve never experienced before, it’s going to take the positive actions of all of us. Let’s do this, Transport!

  • Surgical masks now mandatory indoors

    Under the current public health order in NSW, face masks are mandatory at all times outside your home (with some exceptions such as when exercising) as well as at all workplaces and indoor setting across the state except your home.

    While cloth masks can reduce transmission of respiratory droplets, research suggests that they are less efficient than surgical masks.

    For this reason and to protect our people and customers, at Transport the wearing of disposable surgical masks are mandatory when indoors. Cloth masks are not permitted to be worn when indoors but can be worn when working outdoors. This is particularly important in our operationally critical locations such as signal boxes and the Rail Operations Centre and at all times where physical distancing is hard to maintain. Not only do surgical masks reduce the risk of transmission in our workplaces, they can help reduce the impact on our people when there is a positive case at work. For example, by reducing the number of days you may need to isolate.

    Surgical masks are available for your use at work at all our workplaces. If you wish to wear your own P2/N95 or KN95 mask you may do so, as these offer even higher levels of protection. Please ensure you comply with the public health order to protect yourself and those around you. As well, to avoid fines which have increased under the new Police powers from $200 to $500.

    You can read more on masks here in our Mask FAQs.

    Guidelines on wearing surgical masks

    • You may use a single-use surgical mask continuously for up to 4 hours, as long as it does not become moist, soiled or damaged.
    • Do not store and reuse single-use surgical masks.
    • For each new situation put on a clean single-use surgical mask. For example, you might wear a mask on public transport until you get to work. You shouldn't reuse the same mask during your journey home.
    • Carry clean masks in a paper or zip-lock bag with you.
    • Don’t touch your mask while you are wearing it. If you do touch it, wash or sanitise your hands.
    • If your single-use surgical mask gets soiled or damp, replace it with a new one.

    Why has Transport made surgical masks mandatory?

    • Cloth masks are significantly less efficient than surgical masks according to research.
    • There is limited evidence that certain types of cloth mask can reduce transmission of respiratory droplets.
    • The effectiveness of different types of cloth mask, in blocking respiratory droplets, varies depending on the weave and the number of layers – at least 2– 3 layers are needed.
    • Prolonged use of cloth masks, reused without washing and touching or adjusting masks can lead to self-contamination and infection (of the wearer). They are increasingly less effective as they become increasingly damp.
    • Research showed a significantly higher rate of clinical respiratory infection, influenza-like illness and viral infections among those using cloth masks.
    • Unlike surgical masks, the quality and effectiveness of cloth masks are not regulated in Australia and therefore their safety and effectiveness cannot be guaranteed.

    Source: Australian Federal Government website

  • New process for reporting confirmed COVID-19 cases

    There is a new process now in place for reporting confirmed COVID-19 cases in an employee or contractor. The new process replaces calling the 1800 number, automates the reporting process through to the Transport COVID Taskforce and ensures we are capturing all the required details. You should follow this process immediately after being notified of a confirmed case in your team.

    If you are advised of a confirmed COVID-19 case affecting an employee or contractor please immediately complete the COVID-19 Positive Case Report form (24 hours) and then follow the next steps set out in the Positive Employee flowchart and use the Risk Assessment Matrix to guide you. These processes, guides and templates to assist in communicating about the case can all be found in the quick reference guide for leaders on reporting and communicating cases.

Page last updated: 29 Apr 2022, 11:47 AM