FNQ’s stunning call on Covid check-in headache

The results are in and the public have voted on whether the Covid check-in app should be dropped after some businesses called for it to be scrapped. WHAT YOU SAID

LATEST: THE results are in and the public have voted on whether the Covid check-in app should be dropped after some businesses called for it to be scrapped.

As of Wednesday afternoon 77 per cent of Cairns Post readers voted the check-in app be scrapped. While 23 per cent said it should stay.

Some readers on Facebook were also very passionate. On Facebook 1.4K voted it be scrapped.

Rikki Sunshine Walker commented, “Yep … pointless, they opened the borders and it spread and the Covid tracking is so far behind so its pointless, wear a mask, protect yourself and don’t be dumb if you feel sick, stay at home.”

While Arthur Wallwork commented agreeing it be scrapped.

“I agree but how will they show you are fully vaxxed,” he said.

Bar manager at The Jack hotel Kirilea Gray shows proof of vaccination on the Check In Qld app. Picture: Brendan Radke

EARLIER: SOME businesses across Cairns are calling for the Check-in app to be dropped after contact tracing locations are no longer being listed.

Jules Collins from Jules Collins Jewellery said it was an unnecessary extra task to keep an eye on.

“I think certainly it is up to people entering shops to do it,” she said.

“It’s hard to keep an eye on that. If I am off in one corner and people walk in, it’s hard to keep track that easily of whether people checked in or not.”

Jules Collins of Jules Collins Jewellery waits for customers to Covid check in at her shop in Oceania Walk. Picture: Brian Cassey

Ms Collins said she started to believe it was pointless.

“I think it’s definitely time to drop it,” she said.

“I am finding majority of people have had enough with the rules and regulations.”

Ms Collins said retail had been tough in the last few months.

Miss Chief Bar and Eatery co-owner Rebecca Barnett said 99 per cent of customers were OK with checking in but she also wondered what the point was other than to see vaccination status.

“We are leaning more towards what's the point anymore if they aren’t contact tracing,” she said.

“I am still making people check-in but what’s the point?”

Miss Chief bar and eatery's Rebecca and Jessie Barnett on the Miss Chief balcony.

Ms Barnett said it was time to move on with life.

“We have to move on with this, we can’t stay shackled up in your own state or house for the rest of your life,” she said.

“We have to move forward, we can’t move backwards.”

Ms Barnett said there was a benefit to contact tracing locations not being listed.

“It’s probably better they’re not contact tracing because people might not have come if it was listed as a site,” she said.

Cairns Chambers of Commerce CEO Patricia O’Neill said there were a few benefits now that the app was not being used for contact tracing.

Cairns Chamber of Commerce CEO Patricia O'Neill said businesses are questioning the value of the app.

“Consumer confidence takes a dent when they are listed as an exposure site,” she said.

“Queensland’s government decided that no longer deep cleaning was necessary so it saves costs for businesses.

“They don’t have to shut the business and have the cost of a deep clean.”

Ms O’Neill said many businesses had also questioned why they continue to check in., although it may still be beneficial as they still need to see customers are vaccinated.

But Blu Marlin Bistro owner Paul Harris said it was just another obstacle.

“Here we are trying to promote tourism but all we are doing is putting obstacles in front of them,” he said.

The fact the apps were different in each states also made it confusing for travellers, Mr Harris said.

“I have customers coming in from Victoria and NSW and they don’t have the QR code, it takes extra time.”

A Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service spokesperson said it was vital for Far North Queenslanders to continue using the app.

“It’s especially important when we end up with super spreader events,” they said.

Originally published as FNQ’s stunning call on Covid check-in headache