Council responds to concerns over lack of QR check-ins at busy terminal

“Our staff are not empowered to enforce (the wearing of masks) - only the police can do this – but we do have a strong communication with the Queensland Police in this matter. As well as this, the requirement is communicated through signage, regular PA announcements and by our staff.”

Council responds to concerns about Rockhampton Airport Covid measures

A Central Queensland mother, picking up a relative from the Rockhampton Airport on Tuesday morning, said she was “absolutely disgusted” at the lack of Covid safety measures in place.

“I go to the Reject Shop or Specsavers and I’ve got to sign in,” she said.

“I go to the Rockhampton Airport, where people are coming and going from all over – pilots, stewards, security staff – and there’s no QR codes in the airport proper.

“There are two tiny QR codes but that’s in the cafe area.

The woman, who doesn’t want to be named, said the security staff at the airport were entirely unsupportive when she alerted them to the problem.

“They didn’t care,” she said.

“They made me feel like I was an alarmist, like I was being pedantic.”

The woman, who lives in the Central Highlands, was she was “livid” the Rockhampton Regional Council didn’t treat her complain as a priority when she contacted them this morning, and she intends to email the Premier.

“What’s the point in all these lockdowns, in all these QR check-ins at every tiny shop in town, when anyone can come in and out of the region’s airport without providing any contact tracing information?” she said.

“Do I have to print up the codes and stick them up myself?”

The Morning Bulletin attended the airport this morning and confirmed the mother’s observations, including passengers and construction workers not wearing masks inside the building (which is mandatory at all Queensland airports) and no QR codes for people to check in.

However, the Rockhampton Regional Council has advised a check in code is not required.

Councillor Neil Fisher, who looks after the airport portfolio, said the council takes public safety “very seriously”.

“We continually monitor and follow all COVID-19 requirements,” he said

“The current advice in place for airport terminals is that a Check In QLD QR Code is not required under the health directive.

“It is to our understanding that this is being considered, and we will of course follow this requirement should it be put in place.

“The cafes located in the airport are required to have COVID check-in and do have QR code signage in place.

“It is a requirement for passengers and visitors to wear face masks when visiting the airport.

“Our staff are not empowered to enforce this - only the police can do this – but we do have a strong communication with the Queensland Police in this matter.

“As well as this, the requirement is communicated through signage, regular PA announcements and by our staff.”

The news comes after seven new cases have been recorded in Queensland overnight.

The Morning Bulletin has contacted Queensland Health for comment.