Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry wants clarity on future of check-in QR codes

Do check-in QR codes have a future in Tasmania? That's the question the state’s peak business body has put to the government. LATEST + HAVE YOUR SAY >>

The state’s peak business body is seeking clarity from the Tasmanian government on the future of check-in QR codes, saying some people are no longer bothering to use them because “they just can’t see the point”.

Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry boss Michael Bailey said he was encouraging his members to continue using the Check in TAS app and to keep the unique QR code posters displayed in their businesses for the public to utilise.

Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry CEO Michael Bailey. Picture: Chris Kidd

Contact tracing appears to be a thing of the past in Tasmania and Public Health have stopped listing new exposure sites online, leading some in the community to question why QR check-in codes are still necessary.

“I think it’s important that the government (does) clarify that … because I have heard from some (in the) general public that they’re just not checking in anymore because they just can’t see the point,” Mr Bailey said.

“I’m seeking advice around that. But certainly at this point in time we’re very much recommending to businesses to maintain what we’ve been doing.”

South Hobart cafe Bear with Me was an early adopter of check-in codes and co-owner Alicia Liu said the business had “never really had any strong resistance” to the idea from customers.

Bear With Me Restaurant Preview

But Ms Liu added that QR codes now seemed less vitally important.

“With all the new classifications of close contacts and with the (lack of) contact tracing, personally, to be honest, I don’t think (checking in) is as important as it used to be when it was developed and when it was brought in,” she said.

Ms Liu said she hadn’t noticed a reduction in the number of people checking in at her cafe since the wave of Omicron cases hit the state after the border reopening.

“People do check in before they order anything,” she said.

“It’s more for peace of mind, maybe, or some people prefer to track and trace their own movements.”

Government frontbencher Sarah Courtney appeared to suggest that QR codes were here to stay, describing them as “an important way for people to keep track of where they have been”.

“The last six weeks (have) shown Tasmanians that Covid is still in our community and things can change in the future,” she said on Sunday.

“So we want to make sure that we have robust plans in place because we know that we may have different strains of Covid arriving in our state in the future.”

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