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Requirements for workers at government nominated accommodation

Overview

If you attend Government nominated isolation accommodation to provide services or do work of any kind, or you transport people between airports and the accommodation, you must have received the prescribed number of doses for a primary course of the COVID-19 vaccine (2 doses)  to continue working in the facility or before starting work.

You must provide evidence to an emergency officer when asked. If you are unable to be vaccinated for COVID-19 due to a medical contraindication, you’ll need to provide a proof of vaccination exemption at your facility.

If you develop COVID-19 symptoms, you must:

  • immediately stop work
  • be tested for COVID-19
  • isolate until you receive a negative test result and have no symptoms.
  • If you test positive, follow first steps if you have COVID-19.

COVID-19 test

This is an oropharyngeal and deep nasal swab for a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test or Rapid Antigen Test approved for use in Australia by the Therapeutic Goods Administration to detect whether a person has the COVID-19 virus.

Learn more about COVID-19 testing in Queensland.

About medical contraindications

A medical contraindication is temporary or permanent medical reason why a person cannot have a COVID-19 vaccination.

A medical practitioner is required to complete the medical exemption form and record this on the Australian Immunisation Register.

A person that has evidence of a medical contraindication will be treated as if they are fully vaccinated.

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

Workers must comply with personal protective equipment requirements when in a designated zone in a facility and:

  • be fit tested for a PFR or P2/N95 respirator
  • be trained in how to perform fit checking
  • wear a PFR or P2/N95 respirator, eye protection and other personal protective equipment as told by the Queensland Health venue manager, at all times when in a designated zone.

Queensland Health will work with hotel operators and employers to implement fit testing and training for PFR and P2/N95 respirators.

Fit testing may be undertaken onsite, through a Hospital and Health Service or by a third party provider.

A worker who is unable to wear the above PPE, for example due to a physical or mental health illness or condition, must not enter a designated zone.

Transport drivers will not be required to be fit tested unless they enter the designated zone or are transporting a diagnosed person (the vehicle will then be a designated zone).

A maintenance and repairs contractor presenting for work in a designated zone must notify the venue manager, or a nominated representative, and follow their instructions.

Designated zones

The following areas are designated zones:

  • a floor where an isolating person is or has been accommodated
  • a corridor connected to an isolating person's room or accommodation
  • a lift, stairwell or other area that provides access to a floor where an isolating person is or has been accommodated
  • an area identified by the Queensland Health venue manager such as a foyer or other area during the period of time an isolating person is present in the area
  • a building, or part of a building, within Government nominated accommodation, used to accommodate an isolated person
  • a vehicle used to transport an isolating person to Government nominated accommodation, during transport and until the vehicle has been cleaned in accordance with the COVID safe plan for transporting isolating people

The designated zone includes co-located buildings and facilities.

Parts of the facility that are not used to accommodate isolating persons are non-designated zones if they are not co-located, and requirements for designated zones do not apply.

Government nominated accommodation workers

Government nominated accommodation workers are any Queensland Government agency or hotel operator employees, volunteers or contractors who perform isolation services. Services include:

Government nominated accommodation service

Type of activities

Health services or personal care services

  • Any activity that requires you to be physically present at an identified Government nominated accommodation facility.

Security services

  • Monitoring compliance of people isolating under requirements.
  • Marshalling groups of isolating people in common areas.
  • Accompanying people between different areas within a facility.
  • Face to face contact with people who are isolating.
  • Any other activity that involves you being physically present at a facility.

Other– all front and back of house hotel services and cleaning services

Any service or function that requires you to be physically present at the Government nominated accommodation, including cleaning, laundry, maintenance, kitchen and food services, guest services, front of house, management or administration.

For example:

  • Cleaning a room where someone is isolating.
  • Cleaning a room where someone has isolated.
  • Handling rubbish or linen from a room where someone is isolating.
  • Handling items that have someone who is isolating has touched, such as luggage.
  • Providing reception check in and check-out services Any maintenance work such as repairing or maintaining lighting or air-conditioning.
  • Gardening or landscaping.
  • Preparing meals in the kitchen.
  • Working as a hotel manager, finance or administration worker where the work is physically located at the Government nominated accommodation.

Maintenance and repair contractors who provide unscheduled or irregular maintenance or repair services must wear a mask and follow infection control directions while at the hotel and be tested if directed by a public health emergency officer.

Anyone who is present only to transport food or goods to or from the facility and does not enter a designated zone, is not providing a isolation service.

For example, delivering:

  • food or alcohol for the hotel kitchen.
  • takeaway meals for guests where the meals are left outside.
  • clean linen.

Passenger transport services

Transport providers endorsed by the Department of Transport and Main Roads with a transport plan in the form approved by the Chief Health Officer. For example, transporting an international arriving air crew or passenger from the airport or port of entry to Government nominated accommodation in a bus or in a taxi that is operating under an endorsed transport plan.

Record keeping

When asked by an emergency officer or contact tracing officer, Government nominated accommodation operators must supply records of the following:

  • a weekly record of the names of  facility workers who have provided isolation services
  • informing workers of COVID-19 vaccination requirements before they commence duties, and that they must be tested for COVID-19 if they get symptoms
  • permitting access so staff can be tested when needed
  • support for workers to get tested
  • compliance with requirements for PPE in a designated zone
  • name and contact details of any maintenance and repairs contractors.

All of the above records must be stored securely and not used for any other purpose than to give them to Queensland Health or an emergency officer when asked.

Transport operators

Transport operators (excluding ambulance and emergency services) must be endorsed by the Department of Transport and Main Roads and have a transport plan. Workers providing transport services must follow all conditions under the transport operators endorsed transport plan.

For more information

What is a Government nominated accommodation facility?

This refers to any Government nominated accommodation where people are completing isolation. This does not include a home residence or a hospital.

Does the amount of contact I have had with people who are isolating (or things they have touched) matter?

No. Workers who provide a service or do work of any kind that requires them to be physically present at Government nominated accommodation, and transport providers who transport isolating people, must comply with Government nominated accommodation requirements.

Questions about personal protective equipment (PPE)

What personal protective equipment (PPE) do I need to wear and when?

You must wear a PFR or P2/N95 respirator, eye protection and other personal protective equipment as directed when in a designated zone.

You cannot wear a mask that does not meet the above standards. The Fit testing of PFR or P2/N95 respirators in the respiratory protection program guidance outlines the safe and practical integration of fit testing into respiratory protection programs.

You will be provided with a mask by your employer.

If you refuse to wear a face mask you cannot enter a designated area. If you enter a designated zone without a mask you may be given an on the spot fine of $206.

Questions about the vaccine

How do I provide evidence to my employer that I’m vaccinated?

You can use your immunisation history statement as evidence. This is available from the Australian Government through:

For more information see the Australian Government website.

Questions about endorsed transport providers

What are the requirements for an endorsed transport provider?

Transport providers who move isolating persons must be endorsed by a government authority. To become an endorsed transport provider, you must:

  • Complete the Chief Health Officer approved transport plan template
  • Submit the completed transport plan to the Department of Transport and Main Roads by emailing COVID19_transport_plans@tmr.qld.gov.au at least 7 days before your first scheduled passenger service.
  • Receive your endorsement notification from the Department of Transport and Main Roads.
  • Print and sign the Statement of Compliance.
  • Display the signed Statement of Compliance and keep a copy of the approved transport plan in an easily accessible location in all vehicles used as part of the transport service.

Everyone who is involved in providing endorsed transport services to isolating persons to government nominated accommodation, private residences and vessels, must comply.

Airport operators only moving passengers or air crew across the tarmac do not need to complete a transport plan.

What is a Statement of Compliance?

A Statement of Compliance is a document that confirms a transport provider is compliant with the minimum standards established by the Chief Health Officer to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

Each vehicle used to transport quarantined persons must display the Statement of Compliance, so it is visible to all passengers and relevant authorities. Multiple vehicle registrations cannot be listed on a single Statement of Compliance.

Can the vehicle being used to transport isolating persons be used for any other purpose?

Yes. Ideally, vehicles should be dedicated to the sole purpose of transporting isolating passengers. However, this may not be possible for small businesses only moving isolating persons from time to time. If transport providers need to use their vehicles for other purposes, they must comply with all requirements outlined in the transport plan, including cleaning after moving isolating passengers. Transport providers should consider any risks to their staff or other passengers if they use vehicles for multiple purposes.

All vehicles used for moving passengers to or from isolation must carry a copy of the transport plan and display the signed Statement of Compliance. Drivers must provide a copy of the transport plan to an emergency officer when asked.

What PPE is required?

Transport providers must ensure the following items are available to all drivers transporting isolating passengers:

  • hand sanitiser
  • 2-in-1 disinfectant wipes or other sanitisation products
  • disposable surgical face masks
  • reusable goggles for each driver, clearly labelled with their name.

The driver must wear a single use surgical face mask and reusable goggles before picking up isolating passengers, and not remove them until they have dropped off all passengers and disembarked the vehicle ready for cleaning.

Cleaners must wear new PPE for each vehicle they clean. Cleaners must put on the following PPE before entering a vehicle to clean it:

  • single use latex or nitrile glove
  • single use surgical face mask
  • disposable plastic apron
  • cleaned reusable goggles.

Transport providers must use:

What do drivers need to do?

Before picking up isolating passengers, drivers must ensure the vehicle:

  • is cleaned
  • has enough fuel to get between the two destinations and to the location where the vehicle will be cleaned
  • has enough seats for the number of passengers expected to be picked up
  • ventilation settings (including air-conditioning and windows) are set to promote fresh air
  • is parked in a designated pick up/waiting area that will allow physical distancing between the driver and passengers.

Drivers must maintain physical distancing between themselves and isolating passengers. Passengers should maintain physical distancing where possible.

When picking up and dropping off passengers, drivers must:

  • not be in the vehicle while passengers are finding or leaving their seats
  • follow the instructions of authorised officers
  • make sure all passengers are wearing surgical face masks before entering the vehicle
  • ensure passengers load their luggage; where passengers need help to load luggage, drivers must use hand sanitiser before and after touching luggage.

Drivers must take the shortest route possible between the two destinations and use air conditioning and windows to allow for air flow.

What is a ‘vehicle’?

A vehicle includes all modes of transport used for moving isolating passengers to and from Government nominated accommodation by land, water or air. For example, a bus, taxi, limousine, ferry or helicopter.

Vehicles used for moving isolating passengers must:

  • ensure there is 1.5 metres between the driver and the passenger or have a physical barrier between the driver and the passenger, unless this is unsafe; and
  • have windows and air-conditioning to allow air flow within the vehicle.

What happens if a driver or a cleaner develops COVID-19 symptoms?

If you experience symptoms, no matter how mild, you must get tested immediately and isolate. You cannot attend your workplace until you receive a negative COVID-19 test result and no longer have symptoms.

Who has to complete the infection control training?

Anyone who drives or cleans a vehicle used to transport persons to and/or from Government nominated accommodation must complete one of two online courses prior to transporting isolating persons.

A statement of training completion must be attached to the transport plan when submitted to Department of Transport and Main Roads.

Before you can complete the Queensland Health training package, you will need to register for an ‘iLearn’ account (this is not necessary for the DRVR training). This registration process can take up to two days. Please allow enough time to register for and complete the training before the Transport Plan is submitted to the Department of Transport and Main Roads.

To access the Infection Control training:

  • login to iLearn
  • register (for non-Queensland Health employees who do not have an iLearn account)
    • use the link at the bottom of the page ‘Register here for an iLearn account’
    • use a work email address (if possible) for faster approval
    • when asked for the ‘Account type’, select ‘Other’
    • please note registration can take up to two days
  • enrol in the course (once your iLearn account has been activated)
  • search for the course using the words ‘quarantine infection control’
    • it will return only one result – ‘Quarantine Infection Control training’ – this is your course.

If you need help with registration or access to iLearn, see the support page or call 1800 198 175.

If you need help with the training course, email cdu.online@health.qld.gov.au.

To access the DRVR training:

  • Access the DRVR enrolment page
  • Enrol in the Quarantine Infection Control for Drivers by clicking the ‘Enrol for free’ link
  • Create a new account by filling out:
    • Name, email, password, company you drive with, Country and State, phone number and drivers licence number.
    • Read and agree to the terms of use and customer privacy policy
  • After creating a new account you will receive an email with the link to sign in
    • Click the ‘Sign in URL’ link and log in using your registered email address and password
  • Choose the ‘Quarantine Infection Control for Drivers’ training course
  • Click the link ‘enrol for free’ to begin the course

If you need help with registration, access to DRVR Training or help with the training course, submit your enquiry via the DRVR Contact Us page.

What if details change?

Any changes to the transport providers’ contact information, operation, trading name or any other changes must be reported to the Department of Transport and Main Roads immediately. For example, if the operator no longer provides services to isolating persons or ceases to trade.

Who can I contact if I have questions about the transport plan template?

You should contact the Department of Transport and Main Roads by emailing COVID19_transport_plans@tmr.qld.gov.au

What if I can’t comply with the transport plan?

If a transport driver or provider is unable to comply with a requirement under the transport plan, an endorsement cannot be provided. You will need to apply for and receive an exemption to be able to operate quarantine transport services.

Read the steps to apply for an exemption.

Are there penalties if transport providers don’t comply with the rules set out in their transport plan?

Yes. If you don’t comply you may be given an on-the-spot fine of $1,378 (vaccination and testing) or $206 (PFR or P2/N95 respirator) for individuals and $6,892 for corporations, a court-imposed penalty of up to $13,785 or 6 months' imprisonment.

Who can I report non-compliance to?

If you wish to report a business that isn’t complying with restrictions, you can report them through PoliceLink on 131 444.

Last updated:
13 May 2022
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