Blind woman disappointed by venue’s contact tracing, welcomes new tracing app
The launch of a new standardised contact tracing app for hospitality venues has been welcomed for its user-friendly interface. HOW TO DOWNLOAD >>
Tasmania
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- All the COVID-19 restrictions that are easing next Friday
- Everything you need to know about the 'vertical drinking' ban
THE launch of a new standardised contact tracing app for hospitality venues has been welcomed for its user-friendly interface.
Moonah woman Jen Nickols, who relies on the help of her seeing eye dog Nellie, said most of the hospitality venues she had visited in recent months did little to help her use their COVID-19 contact tracing protocols.
But she said the recently launched government COVID-19 app for contact tracing made recording personal details much easier.
The state government this week launched its standardised Check In Tas app for venues to be able to use if they wish to move from paper based systems.
Ms Nickols said she hoped the app could be used by all Tasmanians.
“It’s just so much easier,” she said.
“I was able to type my name and details in and then now just have to point a camera QR code when checking in.”
“Previously when checking in at venues, often if I didn’t ask about tracing measures, I wasn’t told.”
Tasmanians can now download the Check In Tas app to a smart phone and register their name, email and mobile number.
HOW TO USE THE APP:
- Download the Check in TAS App from Google Play Store and the Apple store app.
- Register your details (required for the first time only).
- At participating venues, open the app, select ‘Check in Now’ and hover your smartphone over the displayed QR code.
- Add in any additional people – those who are with you without their own device or app.
- When the check-in is complete, show venue staff the app successful check in screen.
Every time they see a Check in TAS QR code at a venue, they can then open the app, detect the QR code and the app will display a green tick to show they have checked into the venue.
A spokesman said the state government had been engaging with Tasmanians living with disability and disability service providers throughout COVID-19, as well as the hospitality sector, to seek feedback and provide information.
“It is important that businesses and patrons understand their responsibilities when it comes to contact tracing and our Government, through WorkSafe Tasmania, will continue to work with them to ensure the health and safety of Tasmanians,” a spokesman said.
“It is also vital that businesses provide the necessary support to patrons during this process. We will always consider feedback on what more we can be doing to ensure Tasmanians are able to access services and public spaces.”
Interstate visitors baffled by our COVID-19 restrictions
RESTRICTIONS on Tasmanian hospitality venues are confusing for interstate visitors, says the industry’s peak lobby group, amid calls for more clarity from authorities.
As Tasmanian borders opened to the closest and most frequent visitation state Victoria on Friday, the Tasmanian Hospitality Association said operators could not fulfil visitors’ expectations with current restraints on the industry.
THA chief executive Steve Old said Tasmania had gone more than 100 days without recording a COVID case, while Victoria and NSW had their coronavirus situations well under control.
“Visitors are increasingly confused with the inconsistent restrictions across each jurisdiction and the reasoning behind Tasmanian venue operators not allowing them to stand up and drink inside after such a lengthy period without cases in the state,’’ Mr Old said.
“We have had two weeks with stand-up drinking allowed in outdoor spaces only and this has been two weeks of confusion for patrons and operators, and a challenging time for staff who are forced to police the requirements.”
Mr Old said venues were willing to comply with mandated contact tracing and said they needed a road map out of current restrictions.
Public Health Director Veitch this month said “vertical drinking” has been limited to allow more patrons into venues, and decrease chances of social contact potentially spreading COVID-19.
“A seated event is safer than event where people can mix, and an outdoor event is safer than an indoor event,” he said.
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