Coronavirus SA: Industry calls for COVID-19 bans to ease as QR code uptake surges

More than 340,000 uses of special identification-tracking technology have been recorded across thousands of SA businesses in just two days.

South Australian Premier Steven Marshall demonstrates checking in via QR code to help with contact tracing at the Stag Hotel. Picture: Kelly Barnes/Getty Images

More than 340,000 uses of special identification-tracking technology have been recorded across thousands of SA businesses in just two days, new figures show, triggering calls for a further easing of COVID-19 restrictions.

The state this week ushered in a new era, with QR codes and identification checks becoming mandatory for businesses and venues to help track people in any coronavirus outbreak.

Figures from the Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC) showed more than 238,130 users “checked in” almost 341,100 times between Tuesday and 4pm and Wednesday.

The encrypted DPC data, for SA Health use only, also revealed 14,649 venues were using the technology.

With the state’s COVID Transition Committee due to meet on Friday, Australian Hotels Association SA boss Ian Horne said the technology meant hospitality venues were now “among the safest gathering spaces”.

As such, he said the ongoing one person per 4sq m limit for indoor licensed venues must be addressed.

“We see no reason to continue the pain and damage,” Mr Horne said.

Business SA chief executive officer, Martin Haese, said firms “know this is a critical weapon for contact tracers”.

“Whether it is COVID safe plans, COVID Marshal training or QR codes, businesses have diligently played their role in keeping South Australians safe,” he said.

“Now they are getting on with business.”

Any business with customer interaction, and which needs a COVID-safe plan, must have a QR machine.

There is no legal obligation for patrons to check in via the QR codes, but people are strongly urged to use the app to help contact tracers.

Authorities yesterday said “low-risk” spots such as supermarkets and retail shops, which patrons briefly visited, did not need the technology at present.

Police Commissioner Grant Stevens, said the uptake in people using the QR codes was pleasing.

“I think it is unfortunate that we have to do this … but it is also really important at this point in time (to) provide our contact tracing teams in health a fantastic tool to get on top of any potential outbreaks,” he said.

Premier Steven Marshall said it took “less than a minute to check-in, but has the potential to save our contact tracers hours and hours of work in the event of a cluster or outbreak”.

Revealing zero new cases yesterday, chief public health officer Professor Nicola Spurrier said the QR code use was vital in the Parafield cluster fight.

In a fresh sign of optimism, the government is scaling back its daily public briefings.