Ben Fordham calls for ‘pointless’ QR codes to be dropped

Radio host Ben Fordham has questioned the extension of NSW’s QR code mandate, saying the move “makes absolutely no sense”.

Ben Fordham has questioned the extension of NSW’s QR code mandate, saying the move by Premier Dominic Perrottet “makes absolutely no sense”.

Despite still drumming up thousands of cases per day, NSW is no longer tracking or tracing new infections. But Mr Perrottet told reporters the check-in rule at hospitality venues, large events and retailers will remain to make sure people feel “confident”.

The measure was one of several to be extended until at least the end of February in NSW, as well as capacity limits, mask-wearing and a ban on singing and dancing in hospitality venues or at major events (with exemptions for performers, weddings and schools).

Most of the restrictions had been slated to end today.

“People feel confident checking in, and our job as a government is to instil confidence in our people, in the circumstances where we have a highly vaccinated population, to go out to enjoy the best that NSW has to offer in a way where you keep yourself, your friends and your family safe,” Mr Perrottet said on Tuesday.

Ben Fordham has questioned the extension of NSW’s QR code mandate, saying the move by Premier Dominic Perrottet “makes absolutely no sense”. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

But Fordham slammed the Premier’s justification, asking how, if officials are no longer using QR codes for contact tracing or to notify close contacts, it could “make anyone feel confident”.

“This makes absolutely no sense. QR codes are here to stay. We’re not tracking and tracing anymore, so what’s the point?” the frustrated 2GB host said on his show today.

“We’re not tracking or tracing so why are we still signing in with QR codes and why are we pushing ahead with useless QR codes?

“How does that make anyone feel confident? It’s like saying we’ve got a lifejacket for you but it doesn’t work.”

2GB radio host Ben Fordham. Picture: John Feder/The Australian

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gaye Gerard

Fordham’s comments come as epidemiologists over the past month also questioned the efficacy of the measure.

In a statement in late December, the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC), which advises on national cabinet, recommended “reviewing the utility” of QR codes at locations where people are unlikely to contract the virus.

“The AHPPC recommends maintaining QR code check-ins at higher risk exposure locations as this allows rapid identification of high-risk transmission events and venues,” it said.

The group recommended the codes remain in place at hospitals, aged care facilities and “settings where an outbreak would cause social and economic disruption”.

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In some states, registration for positive for Rapid Antigen Test is complulsory. You will need to register the result or face a fine.

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• Register in Victoria

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Chair of epidemiology at Deakin University, Catherine Bennett, told The Sydney Morning Herald on Tuesday that while the extension of measures such as mask wearing and capacity limits “had a clear impact on transmission”, QR codes were compromised.

“If it’s a memory prompt for where you have been or something that will make you more alert to symptoms, that’s a good thing, but the virus is moving so quickly that by the time you get the ‘ping’ you’ve passed it on,” Professor Bennett said.

University of Sydney epidemiologist Alexandra Martiniuk agreed.

“We have to start thinking about Covid as a long-term thing – we need things that are not burdensome,” Professor Martiniuk told The Herald.

“And QR codes are probably that.”

A Service NSW spokesperson told the paper there had been 118.4 million check-ins using the app since January 1.