24 June 2021
Who does this notice affect?
All industry stakeholders involved in imports and exports.
What has changed?
Due to the evolving COVID-19 situation in NSW and the restrictions announced by the NSW Premier on Wednesday 23 June 2021, measures have been implemented to enable biosecurity operations to continue.
The delivery of Australian Government services has been classified as essential services. As such, all biosecurity operations will continue to be delivered. Where some operations are provided by third parties (e.g., treatments), they are by extension, considered essential services.
The department remains committed to delivering our core business and continuing to safeguard Australian agriculture and our environment from the threat of exotic pests and diseases. We continue to consider and refine our activities in response to public health measures and impacts, such as community hot-spots and outbreaks.
As shared duty holders under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, we are required to work together to take all reasonably practicable steps to ensure the health and safety of all our workers. This includes steps to manage the risks of COVID-19.
Staff have been trained and are supplied with all Personal Protective Equipment. Biosecurity officers will comply with reasonable direction to comply with individual business work health and safety requirements when operating on third party premises. The department expects third party premises to similarly implement COVID-safe practices to enable performance of its regulatory functions.
Impact
Currently, the department is able to service scheduled appointments with minimal impact.
Action
If you have been impacted by the current restriction in NSW and are unable to maintain your scheduled inspection appointment with the department including any notification of COVID -19 positive cases, as a priority please contact us on 1800 900 090 or email the relevant import booking email queue to advise of cancellation of the appointment.
Next steps
The department will continue to monitor the impact and will advise of any changes to inspection processes.
Further information
Importers and Exporters are encouraged to check our website regularly or subscribe to our mailing list for up to date information or contact the department on 1800 900 090.