Questions about the Qld check in app after contact tracing overhaul
Despite the massive changes to contact tracing, the Check in Qld app will continue to play an important role, with police fining those not doing the right thing.
Townsville
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LOCAL businesses like the Avenues Tavern are throwing their support behind the Check in Qld app, despite the significant overhaul to Covid-19 contact tracing.
With the highly contagious Omicron variant widespread throughout Queensland, the state government said from December 31 that they would no longer routinely list the state’s exposure sites, the definition of a close contact had changed, and casual contacts would stop being acknowledged.
They would only notify of major outbreak venues or superspreader events.
The decision raised questions around the viability of the Check In Qld app being used every time someone entered any venue, irrespective of its size.
A Queensland Health spokeswoman said it was important to continue using the Qld Check In app after their contact tracing efforts shifted focus towards high-risk settings, where vulnerable people may be infected.
“The app helps us to easily identify and notify anyone who may have been in contact with Covid-19 positive cases, making contact tracing faster, particularly in those high-risk settings,” the spokeswoman said.
A setting could be considered higher risk due to factors such as proximity of guests or patrons, the number of positive cases there, difficulties maintaining physical distancing or whether Covid-19 vaccines are mandatory to enter.
The Avenues Tavern proprietor Greg Pellegrini said the continued use of the check in app was necessary to allow businesses to continue to operate during the pandemic.
“The fact that Omicron spreads so quickly, it’s important that we can trace everyone immediately to put in place all the health regulations so that we can get back to business as quickly as possible.
“I think people now are very well aware of the necessity (of using the app) and the need to be able to be contacted if such a case of a hotspot might occur in a venue that they have entered.
“We encourage people to be compliant with the necessity to check in until something better comes along.”
Chief Superintendent Craig Hanlon said now was not the time for the people of Townsville to take their foot off the brake, when we needed to continue doing our part against this insidious virus.
“Public health measures such as social distancing, mask wearing, washing hands, using the check-in app and vaccinations are keys to protecting our way of life, protecting the things we hold dear: our families, friends, neighbours and community,” Superintendent Hanlon said.
He commended the high levels of compliance from business operators and people across the city in using the ‘check-in Queensland’ app.
“Compliance checks of businesses by police will continue. There are fines of $1,378 for individuals and $6,892 for businesses which fail to comply with the public health directions,” he said.
“Further action can also be taken, depending on the circumstances of the matter.
“Our officers will continue to maintain a communication and compassion approach to ensure there is compliance; however blatant breaches of the CHO directions, putting our communities at risk, will be investigated by police and enforcement action taken if necessary.”
Economic report highlights Townsville’s successful 2021
TOWNSVILLE’S ability to step up and save the day amid the pandemic was a driving force behind the city’s economic success in 2021, according to a soon-to-be-released reported
The Townsville Scorecard 2021-22 was developed in collaboration between James Cook University Adjunct Professor Colin Dwyer, JCU’s College of Business, Law and Governance, and the local business community. Professor Dwyer said the report recognised the success experienced by Queensland Country Bank Stadium, along with strong job creation numbers and important steps towards a renewable energy-driven future.
“Townsville region created significant jobs, boosted its domestic and international tourism reputation, improved its median property prices and grew its population,” Professor Dwyer said.
“The region obtained traditional full employment, improved its job security and maintained consistently high business confidence. Its population grew, the region maintained its reputation as the largest sugar producer in Australia and job adverts improved compared to the previous year, and the port performed well under difficult conditions.”
After successfully stepping up to hold multiple marquee events during a Covid-19 disrupted year, including the State of Origin and the “mini-rugby world cup”, Professor Dwyer said QCB had delivered beyond expectations, declaring it “social asset of the year”. “The QCB Stadium boosted Townsville’s reputation as a domestic and international tourism sporting destination … putting bums on seats, heads into beds, and buyers into businesses.
“It diversified Townsville’s tourism profile and provided northern people with better community pride and better activity options.”
He said Townsville’s best economic performance in 2021 was the diversified job creation in reaching traditional full employment.
“Townsville officially created more than 5000 jobs in 2021 and reached better than 95 per cent employment (5 per cent unemployment).
“Compared to four years ago this is an outstanding performance. The challenge is to maintain the momentum.”
For the top environmental performer, he pointed to the creation of Townsville’s hydrogen fuel hub. “Sun Metals and others drove this innovation and while Townsville has work to do in Zero Net Missions (ZNE) it’s well on the way to diversify and improve its environmental performance in 2022,” he said.
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Originally published as Questions about the Qld check in app after contact tracing overhaul
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