Major change at Woolworths as Covid rules ease

Woolworths was quick to remove the option to check in at its stores as Covid rules eased in NSW, and not everyone is happy about it.

Woolworths has removed the option to check in at its supermarkets following the ease of Covid restrictions on Wednesday.

QR code check-ins are no longer required at supermarkets in NSW but some customers have labelled the removal of signs “irresponsible”, taking to social media to share their disappointment.

“I don’t care if some people don’t want to use it, but I do because I need to keep myself and my family members safe,” a customer who visited the Baulkham Hills store wrote.

Another who went to the supermarket in Wynyard wrote: “Guess NSW has just completely given up contact tracing”.

A Wollongong man said the lack of QR codes at his local Woolies was “totally irresponsible”.

Both masks and check-ins are no longer required at supermarkets in NSW. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Daniel Pockett

“Even if there’s dozens of regular pings in my Service NSW app moving forward, I’d rather know so I can take a rapid test or get a PCR if I’m particularly worried” wrote another who ran into no QR codes when shopping.

QR code check-ins are now only required for hospitals, aged and disability care facilities, gyms, places of worship, funerals or memorial services, personal services (including sex services), pubs, small bars and registered clubs, nightclubs, strip clubs, sex on premises and indoor music festivals with more than 1000 people.

Covid safety plans are now optional for businesses, under the changes made on Wednesday.

Woolworths told news.com.au it had updated its in-store requirements in line with the government’s public health orders.

“As we have done throughout the pandemic, we’ll continue to carefully monitor and adjust our CovidSafe settings as necessary,” a spokesman said.

Coles has removed the QR code pillars at the front of stores but said it had some signs around to give customers the option. Picture: Monique Harmer

Coles told news.com.au it had removed the big QR code signs at the front of stores but still had some throughout the store for people that wanted to use them.

Aldi welcomed those that wanted to check in to do so, and recommended it.

NSW recorded 1742 new Covid cases in the 24 hours to 8pm on Wednesday.

The state has been dealing with multiple superspreader events, with the rise in cases driven by outbreaks at pubs and clubs.

News.com.au has contacted IGA for comment.