QR code check-ins fall off cliff in NSW as fears over Victorian outbreak deepen

There are deep concerns over a shift in behaviour in NSW, which is now the only state that’s left its doors open to coronavirus-hit Victoria.

There are deep concerns over a shift in behaviour in NSW — as the state becomes the only jurisdiction in Australia to leave its border open to coronavirus-affected Victoria.

Authorities in the Premier State are increasingly worried that if even a few cases make it over the border and begin to spread in the community, it could slip away from them.

This is because official statistics from the state government show the number of people checking into venues in NSW has dropped off a cliff.

There were 48.3 million check-ins in April, down from 66 million in January and 54.4 million in February.

This month’s figures are set to be in line with April, with 42.9 million check-ins recorded to May 26.

“The Victorian outbreak is a powerful reminder that we cannot drop our guard,” Customer Service Minister Victor Dominello told Nine Newspapers.

“We must remain vigilant and checking in to venues helps contact tracers respond rapidly when necessary.”

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

The concern of an outbreak in NSW is exacerbated by the growing number of exposure sites across Melbourne.

A Thai massage parlour, a cinema and a football club are among new venues added to a list of Victorian Covid-19 exposure sites, which is set to widen significantly to include some 150 places.

Yesterday the state was plunged into a seven day-circuit breaker lockdown after recording 12 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday — bringing the total known community cases there to 26.

Victorian arrivals to NSW will be forced to isolate for seven days — while other states have shut their borders.

As of this morning, Victoria has moved into lockdown restrictions, with just five reasons to leave home, including getting food and supplies, authorised work, care and caregiving, exercise for up to two hours each day with one other person, and getting vaccinated.

The “circuit breaker” lockdown will be in place until 11.59pm on June 3, with the following restrictions also coming into effect:

• You must remain within a 5km radius of your home when shopping or exercising, unless your closest shops are further away.

• Masks must be worn everywhere other than your home, both indoors and outdoors, unless an exemption applies.

• There are to be no visitors to your home unless it is an intimate partner. However, single bubbles will be permitted, with people living alone allowed to make a bubble with one other person.

• Public gatherings will be banned.

• Restaurants, pubs and cafes can provide takeaway only. Essential retail, supermarkets, food stores, petrol stations, banks, bottle shops and pharmacies, other retail stores can provide click and collect.

• Schools will move to remote learning, except for vulnerable children and children of authorised workers. Higher education will also move to remote learning.

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Acting Premier James Merlino. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

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• Childcare will remain open.

• Funerals will be limited to a maximum of 10 people plus those running the service.

• Weddings cannot proceed unless end of life or deportation reasons apply.

• Religious activities will not proceed other than through broadcast with a maximum of five people.

• Approved professional sporting events will proceed but crowds will not be permitted.

• Hotels, clubs, TABs and casinos will be closed.

• Indoor and outdoor entertainment venues, swimming pools, spas, saunas, community venues, drive in cinemas and amusements parks, creative studios, art galleries and museums will all be closed.

• Aged care visitors will only be allowed for limited reasons. Hospitals will only allow visitors for end of life situations, to support a partner during birth, or a parent accompanying a child.

There are now 34 active coronavirus cases across the state, with 26 of those linked to the new cluster. More than 40,000 test results were received overnight.

Acting Premier James Merlino has expressed concern at how fast the Indian variant is moving across the state, saying authorities are not only experiencing first hand how quick it is “but how contagious it is as well”.

Reported yesterday: 12 new local cases and no new cases acquired overseas.
- 12,677 vaccine doses were administered
- 40,411 test results were received

More later: https://t.co/lIUrl0ZEco#COVID19Vic#COVID19VicDatapic.twitter.com/e9rfizWbGp

— VicGovDH (@VicGovDH) May 26, 2021

“Our contact tracers are identifying and locking down the first ring, second ring, and third ring within 24 hours. They have never done that before,” he said during Thursday’s press conference.

“That’s the fastest our contact tracers have ever moved within a 24-hour period, identifying and locking down first, second, and third rings of cases. But despite working as fast as this, and my thanks to all of our contact tracers, this variant is moving faster still.”