Australia keeps on trucking despite state border closures

Australia’s truckers have reported no major delays on the country’s highways after the industry was given an exemption from border closures in some states to guard against the spread of coronavirus.

“By and large freight is flowing reasonably well,” said Gary Mahon, chief executive officer of the Queensland Trucking Association. Queensland closed its borders with neighboring states on March 26, but freight was still “free-flowing,” after the state government gave it essential service status, Mahon said.

Border restrictions have also been implemented by South Australia, Western Australia, Northern Territory and Tasmania, though similar exemptions are in place for freight, and drivers report “no major bottlenecks or delays,” the Australian Truckers Association said in an email. There were a number of smaller issues involving companies and individuals that are being worked through, the ATA added.

While a slowdown in some sectors has had an impact on haulage volumes, activity at Queensland’s ports was starting to pick up, which would have a positive flow-on effect for road freight, Mahon said. Truckers had been diligent in practicing Covid-19 protocols, he said, with the industry so far little affected by the virus.

Truckers also scored a win on Tuesday when the national government allowed an exemption to trading restrictions to allow roadhouses and truck stops to remain open. That followed a backlash from drivers that they were being deprived access to essential amenities such as toilets and showers on long road trips.

“We want to make sure our truckies are safe, both in terms of fatigue management and their risk of exposure to Covid-19 and this exemption gets that balance right,” Transport Minister Michael McCormack said in a media release.