Hobart Twilight Market operator says govt’s framework for contact tracing will fail non-tech savvy

One group has been failed by the state government when it comes to contact tracing, and the lack of consistency with its approach threatens the privacy of Tasmanians, a local market operator says.

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THE system allowing large-scale events to operate in a COVID-safe way lacks consistency and threatens the privacy of Tasmanians, a Hobart market operator says.

Set to come into effect on December 1, the state government’s COVID-Safe Events and Activities Framework will mean that all events must record contact details for attendees to ensure they can be contacted if a positive case is recorded.

For non-ticketed events the guidelines say event organisers must implement an alternative mechanism to record contact details of attendees.

Hobart Twilight Market operations manager Justin Davies said there were “too many grey areas” in the plans and said a uniform system needed to be rolled out.

Hobart twilight market operations manager Justin Davies says the government needs to create a better framework for contact tracing at events. Picture Chris Kidd

“We’re happy to support the system that’s in place but the issue is inconsistencies with different events,” he said.

“There needs to be a system that covers all demographics — not everyone has a smartphone or access to the internet.

“Yes, we can have a manual system to record details but a concern is that using a pen on entry presents a privacy issue with others seeing that information.

“We’re trying to urge the state government to look at a system that would cover everyone.”

Mr Davies said the market — which discounted stall fees by 50 per cent — was looking at employing additional staff to monitor COVID-safe behaviour during market hours.

He said a centralised app should be considered first and foremost.

“What I would like to see is an app or a ticketed system, but still having a back-up manual system in place that offers a little bit more privacy,” he said.

Hobart twilight market operations manager Justin Davies says the government needs to create a better framework for contact tracing at events. Picture Chris Kidd

“So we don’t have paper at entry, we could then direct people to enter details at a marquee.”

In Victoria the government announced it would move to a universal QR code check-in system to streamline customer experiences.

A similar system is being used throughout big cities in Asia.

A spokeswoman said the Tasmanian government’s COVID-safe event framework — which includes measures like mandatory signage about social distancing and hand hygiene — was about ensuring community safety.

“The purpose of this framework is to outline the thresholds, principles and requirements to assist event organisers to identify and manage the risk of COVID-19 for a range of event and activity types in a diverse range of settings,” the spokeswoman said.

“The framework establishes three levels of events and the assessment that is required before they can proceed.

“This means that events will be delivered in a different way than they were prior to the impacts of COVID-19 to ensure compliance with all the COVID-19 measures.”

Originally published as Hobart Twilight Market operator says govt’s framework for contact tracing will fail non-tech savvy