Passengers will be asked to sign-in before a taxi can take a fare
Taxi companies are planning to implement a new initiative across the state weeks after authorities scrambled to trace passengers who came in contact with a COVID-19 positive driver.
NSW
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Taxis across NSW will soon require passengers to sign in for a ride as the industry and state government move to improve contact tracing after a driver worked while infected.
Three weeks after authorities scrambled to trace passengers who used the Silver Service taxi, NSW Taxi Council has been working with Service NSW and the Point to Point Transport Commissioner on a trial of the QR code in vehicles.
Two taxi companies, Premier and Legion Cabs, began asking passengers to sign on for a fare on Tuesday, with plans for the measure to be rolled out across the state.
NSW Taxi Council deputy chief executive officer Nick Abrahim said around 40 per cent of 600 vehicles taking part in the trial had implemented the system, with talks under way on how to capture details of passengers who may not have a mobile phone.
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Describing the Silver Service driver incident as “a learning curve”, Mr Abrahim said the plan was to have a sign-in system in every taxi, including in rural and regional areas
“I’ve been working with Service NSW and the Point to Point Commissioner on this trial, and we are thrilled with how fast the trial has happened. We got all the material last Thursday and started the trial on Tuesday,” he said.
“I’d love to see a QR code in every single taxi to give members of the travelling public piece of mind. We really want this in literally every taxi.
“The beauty about this is that every QR code is unique to each taxi, so that way if there is a contact tracing requirement, we can track down the exact vehicle live.”
Mr Abrahim said the reception from the drivers had been positive, given it was also for their protection.
Health NSW contact tracers were forced to use a combination of credit card transactions, trip data and booking information to contact multiple passengers who travelled with the infected taxi driver from September 7 to 10 and from September 14 to 18 across southwestern and Western Sydney.
However, up to nine fares had no details. All the passengers were considered “close contacts”.
While there are a number of QR code apps, around 10,000 business in NSW are using the one offered by Service NSW.
To date, 521,000 people have checked in to a venue using the app.
Customer Service Minister Victor Dominello likened the QR code to the Fires Near Me app in that it allowed contact tracers to quickly stop an outbreak.
A FEW SNAGS BUT THE BUNNINGS SAUSAGE SIZZLE IS BACK
The Bunnings sausage sizzle has returned after being suspended in March because of COVID-19.
This weekend saw a socially-distanced reinstatement of the much-loved community staple.
Bunnings chief operating officer Deb Poole said: “We know community groups and customers in NSW and the ACT are keen to see community sausage sizzles return and we’re really excited to be bringing them back in a way that will keep everyone safe.
“We’ve had phenomenal customer feedback in states where we’ve brought the fundraisers back, and community groups have done an incredible job prioritising customer safety with the new physically distanced layouts and additional hygiene measures.”
At Belrose Bunnings, volunteers from Marine Rescue Terrey Hills kicked things off. Fundraising boss Peter Dally, 82, said: “One of our major fundraisers is Bunnings (sausage sizzles).”
Greg Schneider, 26, was pleased to have the sizzle back.
“It’s great to have it back, it’s an icon of the weekend run for Bunnings and it, it’s a nice return to normal. It’s a good sign that things are going in the right direction,” he said.
— by KRISTEN TSIAMIS
Five new coronavirus cases in NSW, one with unknown source
(Sunday, Oct 11)
There have been three new locally-acquired cases of COVID-19 recorded across NSW in the past 24-hour period, including one where the source of infection is still unknown.
Two cases in returned overseas travellers were also detected taking the total number of new cases to five.
NSW Health has also upgraded its previous warning for passengers on a train replacement bus from Central to Strathfield last week, forcing anyone who was on the service into two weeks of isolation.
Anyone who travelled on the replacement bus leaving Central at 11.48pm on October 4 and arriving at Strathfield at 12.15am on October 5 must now isolate for 14 days. Previously the passengers were only considered ‘”casual contacts”.
The mystery case reported on Sunday has also sparked a warning for anyone who visited Lakemba Radiology from 12pm to 2.30pm on Thursday October 1.
Anyone at the facility at that time is now deemed a “casual contact” and must self-monitor for any symptoms.
Of the three new locally-acquired cases, two were linked with a known cluster.
One case was linked with the Liverpool private health clinic cluster, and the other is a social contact of a previously-reported mystery case.
The new case with an unknown source is of particular concern to health authorities.
Today’s cases were detected in 12,823 tests, compared with almost 15,500 the day before.
VICTORIA’S 12 NEW CASES STILL TOO HIGH TO EASE LOCKDOWN RULES
Victoria recorded 12 new coronavirus cases in the 24 hours to Sunday morning.
There was one new death, after four days this week with no COVID-19 deaths in Victoria.
The 14-day rolling average is 9.3, still above the key target that will trigger the state starting to leave heavy lockdown.
The government has said the 14-day average must be at five for some major restrictions to go from October 19.
The 14-day rolling average in regional Victoria is 0.4.
There are 10 cases with an unknown source in Victoria.