The Victorian Governments enforcement of Stage Four restrictions coming into effect from midnight Wednesday the 5th of August for a minimum of 6 weeks has raised questions as to what this means for the Freight Industry.
Melbourne is home to the biggest container port in Australia which is a vital link to our National Supply Chain. As businesses rely heavily on the transport industry to navigate their products both nationally and internationally, freight and logistics services are recognized as essential to the Australian economy and will continue to trade under tighter restrictions.
During a press conference on Monday the 3rd of August, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews confirmed that “significantly different conditions” would be introduced for essential services to adhere to strict guidelines whilst operating during Stage Four.
Warehouses and distribution centres in Melbourne will need to have a reduced workforce (no more than two thirds the normal workforce at a time) and adhere to additional PPE requirements as well as be subject to routine Coronavirus testing.
With New South Wales having temporarily closed its border to Victorians, carriers are one of few who are permitted to cross interstate borders but are required to pass through checkpoints and adhere to regular testing to ensure no transmission from state to state.
Time-based curfews have been revoked for 6 months for heavy vehicles delivering food or personal hygiene products to retail outlets.
The demand for freight in 2020 has been unprecedented. Carriers continue to evolve their processes and systems to keep up with demand whilst maintain service levels that their customers expect.
Delays are expected on all freight services as carriers continue to operate under reduced workforce, heightened security measures and tighter restrictions.
Use this time to educate yourself. Review your freight, processes and supply chain technology to ensure your business can be fluid and adaptable to these changes.
If you found this article helpful and want to learn more about navigating your freight through a pandemic check out this article here
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