Woolworths introduces new QR code check-in to trace coronavirus

The supermarket is trialling a new feature for customers in-store and so far more than 25,000 Australians have voluntarily taken part.

Woolworths is now asking customers to “check in” when they shop at the supermarket, introducing voluntary contact tracing at more than 600 of its stores.

The supermarket chain began trialling the program at the beginning of this month at a dozen supermarkets in NSW and Victoria and so far more than 25,000 shoppers have used the feature.

Now Woolworths has introduced the system to hundreds of stores in other states including ACT and Tasmania, with plans to roll it out nationally.

While the system is voluntary, signs placed at check-outs and the supermarket’s entrance read: “To support COVID-19 contact tracing efforts, we’re encouraging all customers to check in.”

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The supermarket is now asking customers to check in when shopping at selected NSW and Victorian stores. Picture: news.com.au

A Woolworths spokesman told news.com.au they had experienced “plenty of positive feedback from customers” on the new system.

“While checking in and sharing contact details is entirely voluntary, we’ve seen good uptake over the past fortnight,” they said.

“This has given us the confidence to expand it to more than 600 stores across Victoria, NSW, ACT and Tasmania, with other states and territories to follow.

“Contact tracing is an essential step in preventing the spread of COVID-19 and we’re pleased to be doing our bit to support the broader public health effort.”

QR codes work by holding your camera over the barcode for several seconds until a web link pops up, which then takes you to a URL where a customer can enter their details in.

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While not mandatory, the system is designed to help with contact tracing. Picture: news.com.au

Customers can either enter their details at the store entrance or check-outs. Picture: Dallas Kilponen/Woolworths. Picture: Supplied

The data entered is only shared with health authorities when requested or to notify customers if they have shopped the same day as a confirmed case.

Woolworths is continuing to publish notices of positive store cases and also send emails to their Rewards members if there has been a case in a store they have shopping in during the past fortnight.

The QR code initiative was launched earlier this month, with Woolworths Supermarkets Victorian general manager Andrew Hall describing it as “an essential step” in allowing health authorities to make “rapid contact” with customers who may have come into contact with a coronavirus case.

Woolworths has also introduced a Q-Tracker, a web tool which shows if a supermarket has a queue and wait time to get into stores in order to comply with social distancing rules.

In more than 40 Woolworths supermarkets in Victoria, customers can “book my shop” by reserving a shop time at their local branch so they don’t have to queue to get in.

The move towards voluntary contact tracing in Woolworths comes as multiple supermarkets in both Victoria and NSW have been forced to close for cleaning after staff members were diagnosed with coronavirus.

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Shoppers outside a Woolworths store in the Melbourne suburb of Prahran. Picture: Andrew Henshaw/NCA NewsWire

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Woolworths and Coles are both encouraging customers and employees to wear masks while grocery shopping.

While masks are mandatory in Victoria, customers in Queensland, ACT and NSW are being “strongly encouraged” to wear face coverings in supermarkets.

Woolworths Group CEO Brad Banducci said the store wanted to “lead the way in helping reduce community transmission”.

“Masks and face coverings are a highly visible symbol of the persistence of COVID-19,” he said.

“By encouraging and role modelling their use, it will further support the steps we need to collectively take to stop the spread of the virus and keep our team and customers safe.”