Sunshine Coast senior citizens react to State Government’s mandatory Covid check-in app

Forced use of Queensland’s Covid check-in app has been met with mixed reactions from the Sunshine Coast’s senior citizens, with some saying the technology is too advanced.

Senior citizens on the Sunshine Coast have mixed views on the government’s Covid check-in app as it becomes mandatory across the state.

Queenslanders are required to scan a QR code with their phones before entering specific venues and events to help trace Covid contacts during an outbreak.

While the State Government says the app will help keep residents safe, some believe the new technology comes at a price.

Pacific Paradise resident Jo Irving said she was concerned the app placed a burden on elderly residents who may not have access to smartphones.

The 71-year-old also said those with a disability or residents who simply chose not to own a smartphone would be affected.

“It is very unfair because it’s not just the elderly, it’s ones that can’t afford it, that don’t have jobs,” she said.

“I don’t think the government realise what they’ve actually said to people, that this has to be done.”

Ms Irving said the elderly were more vulnerable to online scams and therefore steered clear of owning the technology needed for the check-in.

“(The government) might think up all these good things to do, but then they think about their generation … but they don’t think of the ones that aren’t any good with technology,” she said.

“They just expect everybody to know everything but sorry, that’s not the case.”

A Queensland Health spokesman said there was no disadvantage to anyone who didn’t have a smart device as there were alternatives.

“For example, businesses can record a person’s details if they do not have a smartphone or experience any difficulties providing their information electronically,” they said.

“Alternatively, if you are with a group, one person can sign in multiple people.”

Pacific Paradise resident Jo Irving in 2009. Picture: Nicholas Falconer

Ms Irving said manually checking in on paper at every store a person entered would be a huge hassle, particularly for the elderly.

“We all find it hard to read things as you get older,” she said.

“We’re all too old to take up technology now and we shouldn’t have to suffer because of what the government has decided is right for all of Australia to do.”

However not all residents feel they are disadvantaged due to the new system, including members of the Caloundra Senior Citizens Club.

President Ray Whiteley said the group had found a way around using the technology which involved a manual check-in each day.

A list with the members’ details is updated during each social activity and is handled by one person to minimise the amount of contact with the sheet.

Mr Whiteley said he believed it was a good process.

Ray Whiteley with their manual check-in papers. Picture: Patrick Woods

“Making it up initially takes a while but once it’s in place, we’ve had these in place since September last year, the list just expands,” he said.

The club then passes on the details to the venue they’ve visited, whether it’s the Caloundra Uniting Church or CWA Hall.

“We’re required to keep them for 56 days but we still keep them, we don’t actually throw them away,” he said.

“If they allow us to be able to have these names all recorded and typed out and just reprint it after every day … from our point of view, that’s very convenient.

“It’s a relevant issue at the moment that’s made very complicated for some of us, but we’ve found a way around it I believe.”

On a personal note, Mr Whiteley said he felt the manual check-in was more of an issue for the business than for himself.

“That wouldn’t be a hassle for me if I went to a cafe or something like that,” he said.

“The hassle is more for the people running the cafe, I would imagine.

“It’s unfortunate but unfortunately I have the greatest of difficulty understanding the use of the mobile phone.”

Mr Whiteley says the manual check-in is effective for the Caloundra Senior Citizens Club. Picture: Patrick Woods

The Queensland Health spokesman said the app would help minimise the threat of Covid.

“This app is all about keeping Queenslanders safe and helping our contact tracers when there is an increased risk of Covid-19 in our community,” he said.

“Business should ensure that when checking in patrons to their premises, people are not showing a screenshot of a previous check in but rather the authentic screen.”