Port of Newcastle operations continue with COVID-19 response measures in place
Port of Newcastle, like many organisations, is taking a precautionary approach to help manage COVID-19 risks in the community.
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Port of Newcastle, like many organisations, is taking a precautionary approach to help manage COVID-19 risks in the community.
Our focus is on ensuring the port continues to operate smoothly for our customers whilst we work with government agencies and industry partners to implement preventative measures that will keep our people and our community safe.
Operations continue at Port of Newcastle
As an international trade gateway for cargo worth around $25 billion to the New South Wales economy, the port’s resilience and business continuity is critical to many local, state and national employers that need access to international markets. This activity generates over 9,000 jobs in our region alone. We continue to work with our customers, supply chain partners and all agencies involved in the movement of vessels, crew and cargo through the port to ensure operations continue.
While there is yet to be a significant disruption to vessel movements and operations, Port of Newcastle continues to work behind-the-scenes to assess and manage potential risks relating to COVID-19.
Updated Australian Border Force requirements for commercial vessels
Australian Border Force (ABF) has extended the 14-day mandatory self-isolation to all persons entering Australia, including crew members on commercial vessels regardless of last port of call. These measures further enhance the existing precautionary measures in place whilst still enabling trade and vessel movements to continue.
We note the transit times from ports in key markets such as Japan, China and Korea are typically more than 14 days. For full details on the latest restrictions please refer to the ABF.
Protecting our people
While no one at Port of Newcastle has yet been identified as having contracted COVID-19, we are taking a precautionary approach that puts people first. In mid-March, most of our office-based employees transitioned to remote working arrangements, making full use of the modern technology already available. This move was made in order to limit unnecessary face-to-face contact. We have also made changes to processes and procedures used by our frontline operational employees to minimise interactions, increase and enhance cleaning and disinfecting processes and wear additional PPE as a precaution, which will help reduce risks to themselves, their families and the wider community.
For health information on COVID-19, visit the Department of Health website. For information relating to ports, maritime or trade, Ports Australia has also collated a list of up-to-date government resources here.
Please do not hesitate to contact the port with any questions or concerns. We will keep you updated.
Craig Carmody
CEO
Port of Newcastle
Updated Australian Border Force requirements for commercial vessels
Australian Border Force (ABF) has extended the 14-day mandatory self-isolation to all persons entering Australia, including crew members on commercial vessels regardless of last port of call. These measures further enhance the existing precautionary measures in place whilst still enabling trade and vessel movements to continue.
We note the transit times from ports in key markets such as Japan, China and Korea are typically more than 14 days. For full details on the latest restrictions please refer to the ABF.
Permit to leave Greater Sydney
Persons living in Greater Sydney (including the Blue Mountains and Wollongong) must not leave Sydney without a permit if the person is going more than 50km from Greater Sydney to carry out work. The Greater Sydney boundary has now been reduced to exclude the Central Coast. This means that Port of Newcastle is now more than 50 kilometres from Greater Sydney and all Port visitors travelling from Sydney will require a permit which must be shown on arrival at the Port Security gate.
Port of Newcastle Security will request all visitors provide their home suburb on arrival to determine visitors and contractors that have arrived from Greater Sydney. Once confirmed, evidence of a permit will be requested.
Testing requirements for Greater Sydney workers
Persons living in Greater Sydney (including the Blue Mountains and Wollongong) must not enter premises for work that are more than 50 kilometres outside Greater Sydney unless the worker has been tested for COVID-19 in the previous 7 days and has evidence of the test available for inspection.
Port of Newcastle Security will request evidence of a test on arrival at the Security gate.
From 30 August, persons from LGAs of concern must not travel to the Port unless the worker has had one dose of COVID-19 vaccine or has a medical certificate indicating a medical exemption and carries the required evidence.
Mandatory mask requirements
Face masks must now be worn by all persons over 12 years in all indoor and outdoor areas of non-residential premises across all of NSW, except when engaging in physical exercise.
To assist us in reducing risk of transmission to security and subsequently to other Port users, Port of Newcastle requests all visitors to wear a face mask on arrival at the security gate.
Entry to Port of Newcastle sites
Do not proceed onto site if you:
- Have a fever, cough or sore throat
- Have a runny nose
- Have shortness of breath
- Have come into contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19
- Have been identified as a close or casual contact of someone confirmed or suspected to have COVID-19
- Have visited a location of concern identified by NSW Health with the specified time period(s)
- Returned from international travel in the last 14 days
- Returned from a designated hot spot in the last 14 days
- Are under any sort of direction to self-isolate
- Are feeling unwell
While on site, please ensure you comply with the below:
Further information
If you have any questions or concerns regarding Port of Newcastle’s COVID-19 response measures for contractors, transport companies or other visitors to Port sites, please email Covid@portofnewcastle.com.au or call +61 2 4908 8200.