Major change to Covid QR code check-in at NSW Woolies, Coles supermarkets

A major change is coming to supermarkets and retailers in one Aussie state as health officials grapple to contain the spread of Covid-19.

NSW residents will be able to check into their local supermarket from Friday even if they don’t have a smartphone or pen and paper.

Instead, the state government is launching personalised Covid check-in cards that can be ordered as a plastic card or downloaded and printed on paper.

People will son be able to check into a supermarket using a plastic card instead of a QR code. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi

Customer Service Minister Victor Dominello said residents could visit a Service NSW centre to sign up or call to apply for one.

“We want to make sure the CovidSafe check-in is as safe and as accessible as possible, which is why we’re introducing the Covid-19 check-in card,” he said.

“The days of seeking out somewhere to manually sign in with pen and paper should be an absolute last resort.”

A person’s contact details would be securely stored within the QR code, he explained.

Two other changes will also be made to the check-in process.

The first will allow customers to review their check-in history and edit check-out times, and the second will make it easier for customers to sign into the Service NSW app while wearing a mask.

The changes will come into force from mid-August. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Joel Carrett

“It is critical our contact tracers have the most accurate information possible so they can act quickly to contact casual and close contacts, which is why we’re making it possible for customers to review their check-in history and enter the correct check-out time after the fact,” Mr Dominello said.

“Customers will also be able to opt to extend their login period for the Service NSW app to up to four hours, making it faster and easier to check-in without having to re-enter a PIN or to remove their face mask to activate Face ID each time.”

The in-app changes will come into force from Friday.

Originally published as Major change to Covid QR code check-in at NSW Woolies, Coles supermarkets