NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet restores QR code sign-ins

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet will reintroduce QR code check-ins in all hospitality and retail ­settings.

Premier Dominic Perrottet wants to procure bulk orders of rapid antigen testing kits and supply them for free to people across NSW. Picture: Gaye Gerard

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet will reintroduce QR code check-ins in all hospitality and retail ­settings as pressure mounts on governments nationwide to act against the Omicron variant amid forecasts of rising hospitalisations and strain on the healthcare ­system.

Mr Perrottet is also seeking to procure bulk orders of rapid antigen testing kits and supply them for free to people across the state, in a program that would mirror a British scheme.

In Britain, members of the community can order a testing kit to be mailed to their homes, with the NSW model expected to follow suit. There would also be provision for kits to be made available, for free at NSW Health facilities, GPs and pharmacies.

Mr Perrottet, who has resisted calls for the reintroduction of government restrictions over the past week, said he had asked Health Minister Brad Hazzard to explore options for making a bulk order of the rapid-antigen tests for NSW.

He said the rationale for doing so was to reduce queues and wait times for people seeking a traditional PCR test, amid reports of some centres experiencing hours-long delays from people seeking certainty before taking a holiday or visiting family members.

Figures released by NSW Health on Wednesday revealed a further increase in hospitalisations from Covid-19, with 302 people currently admitted for treatment and 40 people requiring intensive care, 12 of whom are ventilated.

The number of people admitted to hospital because of the virus was roughly half that number a week ago. Two deaths were also reported on Wednesday, along with an overnight infection count of 3763.

Mr Perrottet said: “People have come forward to get tested in record numbers, which is important to help keep people and the community safe, but we need to make sure our testing clinics are there for people who really need it. Providing rapid-antigen testing kits for those who want to do the right thing will help take the pressure of our testing clinics, while giving people confidence to get on with their lives.”

 He said the government’s approach to Covid-19 had always been flexible to the demands of the pandemic. Individuals would be encouraged to use the kits before entering high-risk settings, including aged care homes, pubs, clubs, nightclubs, hospitals, or other large-scale venues.

 “This will also help people monitor their own symptoms and go about their daily activities in a responsible manner, helping protect themselves, their families and the community,” he said.

 Australian Health Protection Principal Committee advice provided to national cabinet, and published by The Australian on Tuesday, revealed officials were advising in favour of a reintroduction of mask-use in most indoor settings.

While Mr Perrottet has resisted those calls, he said on Wednesday evening his government would bring back QR code check-ins to assist state officials with contact tracing.

Restaurant and Catering Australia chief executive Wes Lambert said many hospitality venues had been forced to cut shifts or shut down due to staff learning that they were close contacts. “QR codes could give consumers the confidence they need to return to dining over the summer,” Mr Lambert said.

A recent R&CA survey found two thirds of respondents supported QR code reintroduction.

NSW Labor urged the government to seek greater numbers of rapid-antigen tests in response to large queues of people seeking to assure themselves of their safety ahead of the holiday season. NSW Deputy Labor leader Prue Car said the government should consider bringing back mandatory mask-use if the health advice deemed it necessary to avoid another lockdown over the summer months.