ALL truck divers entering Queensland from another state – along with those entering on a freight pass – must be vaccinated with at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine under new regulations announced by the Queensland government.

The move comes after several freight drivers entered the state while infectious and moved around the community recently.

Under the changes, all truck drivers and those using the freight pass must have at least one dose of a COVID vaccine by 15 October and have their second dose (or a booking) by 15 November.

Freight drivers entering Queensland from anywhere will also be required to produce a negative COVID test result at the border from within a seven-day period and maintain a seven-day rolling test regime while operating in the state.

A dedicated pop-up vaccination clinic will be established near the Queensland-New South Wales border to support the new vaccination rules for truck drivers.

The clinic will be located in Tugun, between Boyd Street and Kitchener Street, and come online from 28 September.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said, “Freight workers and truck drivers are absolutely essential to keeping food on the table and rebuilding our economy.

“Regular testing has meant cases have been picked up quickly. But due to the nature of their work, we know that many freight workers and truck drivers are at greater risk of contracting COVID-19.

“That’s why we’re ramping up our vaccination rollout and making it quicker and easier for truck drivers crossing through the Gold Coast border to get vaccinated.

“Many drivers are already vaccinated – but for those that aren’t, we want to make it as easy as possible for them to get the jab.”

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said the Gold Coast pop-up vaccination clinic was being established near the border at Tugun – in a location with plenty of parking and turnaround areas for trucks.

“With the Delta variant on our doorstep, we need to get as many Queenslanders as possible vaccinated quickly and safely,” she said.

“While we’ve been largely successful in keeping COVID-19 out of Queensland, there could be an outbreak any time, so make sure you are protected by getting vaccinated.”

Anyone aged 12 years and over is eligible to get vaccinated.