NT COVID-19 check-in app for businesses launched on all systems except Apple

iPHONE users will have to wait a couple of days before they can log into the new Northern Territory Check In App, helping to contact trace the community and prevent the potential spread of an unlikely coronavirus outbreak.

• NT Health to launch COVID-19 check-in app to bolster contact tracing

iPHONE users will have to wait a couple of days before they can log into the new Northern Territory Check In App, helping to contact trace the community and prevent the potential spread of an unlikely coronavirus outbreak.

Health Minister Natasha Fyles said Google Play and Android systems were up and running but the Apple app store had been delayed due to Thanksgiving celebrations in the US as locals and businesses ease into the new system.

“I’ve been advised it’s in the final stages but it’s Thanksgiving in America where these systems are signed off, we’re very hopeful it will be live today but I’ve been advised certainly by the end of the week,” she said.

“I apologise to Territorians that may be wishing to use the Apple platform but it’s a little bit out of our hands.”

But once up and running, Ms Fyles was confident the system would be a great benefit to the community, ensuring all contact tracing information was on the same platform.

Health Minister Natasha Fyles provides an update on the Northern Territory Check In App at a press conference at Rays Cafe in Darwin. Picture: Che Chorley

MORE COVID-19 NEWS

Melburnians ecstatic to be back in the Territory quarantine-free

Darwin welcomes first flight of foreign students to return to Australia since coronavirus pandemic shut down international travel

‘Very advanced negotiations’ underway to double Howard Springs quarantine capacity in bid to assist stranded overseas Aussies

“As we step forward into this new normal it’s really important we have the information for our contact tracing teams so the government has our check-in app,” she said.

“This is another tool for businesses, community organisations who are all playing their part to keep the community safe.

“We want to make sure that if we are to see cases in the Territory that we can act quickly and we can provide that information to our health officials in terms of contact tracing.”

Businesses can create their own QR code or have one generated by the Northern Territory government.

Ms Fyles said with many businesses already collecting relevant information including time and date visiting a venue and their contact details, the system wouldn’t force businesses in doubling up on their contact information.

But businesses could still face sanctions for trying to cheat the system.

Health Minister Natasha Fyles demonstrates the new Northern Territory Check In App at Rays Cafe in Darwin. Picture: Che Chorley

OFFER EXTENDED: Amazing NT News subscription offer: Read everything for $1

“Many businesses already collect this information for example if you make a restaurant booking or go to a gym, childcares of course collect the information so it’s just making sure the information they’re collecting (is easily accessible) by public health officials,” she said.

“We will work with an educative approach with businesses but if a business is blatantly doing the wrong thing, it is enforceable under these directions.”

The new rules came into place yesterday.

Follow @zwar_w