Rideshare services to come under QR code mandate

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says Sydney’s limo driver outbreak makes it critical Queensland forces the state’s 20,000 taxis and Ubers to get QR codes so passengers can check-in.

Taxis and ride share vehicles will be required to have QR codes so passengers can check-in as the state government moves to further strengthen its contact tracing capabilities.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the recent case of a Cairns taxi driver who tested positive to Covid-19 had highlighted why the mandate was required.

“The first case in NSW’s spiralling outbreak was a Bondi limousine driver who transported flight crews,” she said.

“Extending the reach of the Check In Qld app to taxis, limousines and ride share is purely and simply about safety.”

From August 30, the government’s check-in app will be compulsory for the nearly 20,000 taxis, limousines and ride share operators across the state.

The mandate follows desperate calls from the Taxi Council of Queensland for QR codes to be used.

The codes have been compulsory in taxis across Victoria since late June and in NSW, SA and the ACT since July.

Ms Palaszczuk said authorities expected future cases and that it was important to get on top of them as quickly as possible. “It is a very tough situation at the moment and everything we are doing is to keep Queenslanders safe,” she said.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said the new step could help prevent Queensland’s next outbreak.

“Anything we can do to help our team of contract tracers quickly identify where positive cases have been and who they’ve come into contact with helps us keep community transmission to a minimum,” she said.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey said the industries were supportive of the app.

“Taxi, limousine and ride share drivers and operators are already taking steps to protect

Queenslanders to minimise the spread of Covid-19,” he said.

“Introducing compulsory QR codes is a sensible move to further protect drivers providing an

important service for the community, and their customers.”

There have been more than 304 million check-ins via the government’s app at almost 185,000 businesses and locations across Queensland.

Taxi, limousine and ride share drivers can complete their registration via the Check-In Qld app website.

Originally published as Rideshare services to come under QR code mandate