QR code confusion among Coffs Coast seniors prompts action

Council has teamed up with a local company to help residents struggling to enter retail stores due to mandatory check ins.

Concerns for local retailers and senior residents who are struggling with mandatory QR code check ins has prompted action from Coffs Harbour City Council.

The council has teamed up with tech-savvy youth from Youngster.co to provide free tech support to help community members download and use the Service NSW App, as well as to download their Dine & Discover vouchers.

QR code check-ins are mandatory across all retail, while the vouchers are still available for use until the end of the month.

Local company Youngster.co were on hand at the recent Coffs Coast Growers Market, and will make a return at the next market being held on August 12.

“This is a great opportunity for our youngsters to give back to the retail business community and show the value of their technology skills,” Youngster.co founder Tony Rothacker said.

Youngster.co’s Tony Rothacker said it was an opportunity for his young staff to give back to the retail business community.

“Seniors gain confidence using the Service NSW App and by helping visitors with their QR code issues we make it easier to enter shops and improve visitors’ experience.”

Mayor Denise Knight said the initiative reflected the importance of supporting city centre businesses.

“I love the idea of Youngster.co – young people gaining life skills and employment by helping older people who are having to learn a lot of very new tech skills to help them navigate our modern world,” she said.

“It will also benefit City Centre businesses, and the Growers Market producers, who – like businesses all over Coffs – are having to follow all the Covid check-in requirements that are now in place to help us all stay safe during this pandemic.”

It was recently revealed that trace elements of Covid-19 were found in sewage samples take from Coffs Harbour and Bonny Hills, however there are no confirmed cases in Coffs Harbour.

Meanwhile recent data from NSW Health suggested the Coffs Harbour and Grafton areas have been slower than others when it came to getting vaccinated, with 14.6 per cent of the population aged over 15 fully vaccinated.

Youngster.co will be at the markets on August 12 from 9am-1pm.