Check-in codes ignored across Toowoomba as Covid fears grow across Queensland

An investigation found shoppers entering businesses across the Toowoomba CBD are not complying with Covid directions, despite southeast Queensland being on the knife’s edge of a lockdown.

As Covid fears grow and the threat of a snap lockdown looms, the complacency of Toowoomba shoppers when it comes to checking in has been revealed.

An investigation by The Chronicle found in just one morning almost half of people across the CBD ignored the QR code for the Check In Qld app, a key tool in combating community transfer of Covid-19.

Of the 512 people spotted entering shops in the CBD between 9.45am and 12.30pm, a total of 210 walked passed QR codes asking them to check-in, a staggering 41 per cent.

People entering the main entrance to the city’s main CBD shopping centre were the worst QR dodgers, with 88.1 per cent walking past the QR code without checking in.

QR check in code at JB Hifi, Friday, July 30, 2021. Picture: Kevin Farmer

The entrance to a department store, which featured a greeter asking people if they had checked in, recorded the highest rate of compliance with only 19.6 per cent of shoppers not checking in.

At a busy CBD cafe, 35.7 per cent of patrons did not check-in, while 30.7 per cent of shoppers did not check-in at a busy grocery store.

It comes as southeast Queensland remains on high alert to contain an outbreak of the Delta variant of the Covid virus.

A Queensland Health spokesman said the Check in Qld app had been an invaluable tool in supporting contact tracing efforts, but was only effective if it was used by members of the community.

“It’s important these businesses and the community use the Check In Qld app,” the spokesman said.

“This helps to make contact tracing faster and more reliable in the event of an outbreak.

“Our contact tracers work around the clock to achieve the best possible health outcome for all Queenslanders, and they have done an incredible job so far in locating and contacting close contacts of confirmed cases so quickly.

“Our policies have evolved as more contagious variants emerged and have continued to be successful protecting Queenslanders.

“We thank Queenslanders for doing their part to minimise the spread of Covid-19 by downloading the Check In Qld app and checking in. This app is all about keeping Queenslanders safe and helping our contact tracers when there is an increased risk of Covid-19 in our community.”

QR check in code at Grand Central, Friday, July 30, 2021. Picture: Kevin Farmer

At a press conference yesterday, Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said two new Covid-19 cases had been recorded in Queensland overnight, including one that was locally acquired.

Earlier this week it was revealed that a man staying at a Brisbane CBD backpackers had also tested positive.

It has been more than 500 days since the Darling Downs recorded its first case.

In that time, Darling Downs Health has completed 117,844 tests on 80,125 of the region’s residents. Since March last year, seven Queenslanders have died, including two from the Darling Downs.

As of July 29, 2021, Darling Downs Health has administered 29,044 Covid-19 vaccinations, with 20,312 Pfizer doses and 8732 AstraZeneca doses.