New measures will be announced in the coming weeks in an effort to combat the spread of fungal infections from interstate. NSW Health in conjunction with the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service will introduce mandatory footbaths for air passengers arriving from tropical locations in Queensland and the Northern Territory. It is also anticipated that roadside footbaths will be introduced on the M1 Pacific Motorway at Tweed Heads. Drivers will be required to pull in to special Tinea inspection areas where Podiatrists will carry out random checks. The Department of Justice will grant powers to the Podiatrists to turn back arrivals who exhibit signs of poor foot hygiene. All arrivals will be required to open their vehicle doors and dip their bare feet in the antifungal solution prior to proceeding on their journey into New South Wales. The NSW Health Minister Jillian Skinner stated “the cost to the NSW taxpayer in treating tinea is exploding. Why should we foot the bill for these nasty infections contracted interstate? We are taking measures to ensure that those smelly foot bugs stay across the border where they belong.”
The Queensland minister for health was unavailable for comment.