Scrapping QR codes won’t be ‘end of the world’, leading epidemiologist says

A leading epidemiologist says enforcing the state’s Covid check-in system was no longer important given this change to Victorians’ way of life.

A leading epidemiologist says QR code mandates could be safely scrapped in Victoria without it becoming the “end of the world”.

It comes as the state government faces increasing pressure to ease restrictions in line with New South Wales, who will this week wind back mask rules and remove the check-in protocol for most retail and hospitality venues.

Health Minister Martin Foley will this week make an announcement about Covid rules but the state government would not say whether the QR code mandate would be phased out.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison also publicly declared that it wasn’t normal for governments “to keep track of where we’ve been”.

Former World Health Organisation epidemiologist Adrian Esterman told the Herald Sun that enforcing the check-in system was no longer important given Victoria had ditched a zero-case strategy.

A leading epidemiologist says Covid check-ins could be safely scrapped. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Ian Currie

“The Prime Minister is right, you can’t permanently track people,” Professor Esterman said.

“Now that we’re not trying to get down to zero cases, and getting infected is not as bad because of vaccination, it’s less important so I can see the argument for removing QR codes.

“Once you’ve got more than a few hundred cases each day, contact tracers can’t keep up. They simply can’t manage, so QR codes become less relevant. By scrapping them, it’s not going to be the end of the world.”

Deakin University’s Chair of Epidemiology Catherine Bennett said checking in had become less of a priority for many people and could be safely scaled back in most settings.

But she said there was still a case for it – even just as a memory prompt – particularly in some high risk settings, like nightclubs, gyms and bars, where masks aren’t worn.

“We may as well pull it back in some of the more transient settings. It’s got to be a bit more tangible and focused on the time spent and the nature of interaction,” she said.

The state government wouldn’t say on Tuesday when its mask mandate will be scaled back, with Premier Daniel Andrews previously flagging they wouldn’t be required in retail settings after Wednesday, if Covid-19 hospitalisations hadn’t soared.

There are more than 11,000 active coronavirus cases and 364 people in hospital with the virus.

Experts recommend masks continue to be worn in retail. Picture: Paul Jeffers.

Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Paul Guerra said masks – outside of public transport – posed a “major disincentive” for people to go to work, the shops, or healthcare facilities in person.

“Considering that masks are not required in other indoor settings, we should make it a level playing field and get rid of the mask mandate altogether,” he said.

Health Minister Martin Foley will review restrictions this week, with new pandemic legislation to officially overtake the state of emergency at 11.59pm on Wednesday night.

Under the new laws, Mr Foley will get up-to-date advice, including information and modelling on hospitalisations, which the government says prevent him from “foreshadowing” changes.

“Later in the week there will be announcements about what the next stage looks like but it is based on the latest health advice,” Acting Premier James Merlino said.

Opposition leader Matthew Guy said mask rules should ease from Wednesday.

“I think we’ve moved on from these 2020-21 approaches.”

Victoria on Tuesday recorded 1189 new cases, including three fresh cases of the Omicron variant of concern.