Use of QR codes for COVID-19 contact tracing in Australia

[kookaburra75]

From May 1, QLD is finally mandating that venues must use Check In QLD (which our Canberrans would recognise as a maroon version of Check In CBR) and can no longer use GuestHQ, PaperForm, SafeVisit, Google Forms, Microsoft Excel, tarot cards, or necronomicons.

Venues are starting to replace their codes already, I've noticed.

Qld has certainly picked up its game following the scare in March. When I was there in early March, no-one seemed to care - not many wearing masks etc Last week, different story - most were wearing masks, using QR code check in.

 

[drron]

And now with experience of the WA system NSW win's hand's down. Much more easier to use and simpler.

 

[VPS]

NSW establishments are very good at ensuring people check in. In SA the only place I've been asked if I've checked in, is our local bottle shop. No other place has asked.

We must go to different places - I've been asked lots

 

[VPS]

And now with experience of the WA system NSW win's hand's down. Much more easier to use and simpler.

I've only used the SA one but I find it very easy and simple

 

[AIRwin]

Last week, different story - most were wearing masks, using QR code check in.

Restrictions are still in place...

 

[Pushka]

We must go to different places - I've been asked lots

What kinds of places? I guess we haven't been eating out in restaurants but other than that I'm in and out of all kinds of shops. Even Bunnings don't seem to be as thorough as before.

 

[VPS]

What kinds of places? I guess we haven't been eating out in restaurants but other than that I'm in and out of all kinds of shops. Even Bunnings don't seem to be as thorough as before.

shops and cafes mainly - any medical places, eye place, - never in supermarkets now - you just see people walking through

 

[Pushka]

shops and cafes mainly - any medical places, eye place, - never in supermarkets now - you just see people walking through

Yes. Did scan at the chemist today but wasn't asked and they wouldn't have seen me do it. Maybe they just expect i would do it.
One thing that NSW app does is an exit scan if you remember. It's bothered me that I might get caught up in a Covid net of people in any store because a positive had visited but I'd left long before they arrived.

 

[Seat0B]

I like both the Check in CBR and Service NSW apps. I thought I preferred NSW because of the ability to check out, which is not offered on the Check in CBR. But I find I keep forgetting to check out, so it's not as useful as I first thought. I like that both of them save your frequent guests so you don't have to keep entering details for family and friends. In the ACT, most places are now asking for the check in.

 

[PineappleSkip]

The Check In Qld app sounds just like the ACT one. Cheers skip

 

[Lynda2475]

But I find I keep forgetting to check out, so it's not as useful as I first thought.

FYI in case you havent realised, if you forget to check out, you can go back in later and check-out, then manually adjust the departure time to the actual time you left (well at least for your last place visited).

I did this earlier today, forgot to check out of the pub when I left pub trivia last night, remembered this morning, so went to my last check-in, hit check out and changed the date back to last night and the time I left (I may have been out by a few minutes but pretty close).

When im going directly from one place to another i.e. on a Saturday when I go to a cafe then immediately to supermarket next door, I dont check out of the cafe, because Im checking into a new place within 90 seconds of leaving, so tracers should be smart enough to know I must have left the cafe by the time im showing as checked into Coles.

If you dont check-out then you run the risk of being made to ISO because a case visited the same venue hours after you were there. Checking out means you can prove werent there at the same time.

 

[Seat0B]

FYI in case you havent realised, if you forget to check out, you can go back in later and check-out, then manually adjust the departure time to the actual time you left (well at least for your last place visited).

I did this earlier today, forgot tro check out of the pub when I left pub trivia last night, remembered this morning, so went to my last check-in, hit check out and changed the date back to last night and the time I left (I may have been out by a few minutes but pretty close).

When im going directly from one place to another i.e. on a Saturday when I go to a cafe then immediately to supermarket next door, I dont check out of the cafe, because Im checking into a new place within 90 seconds of leavinf, so tracers should be smart enough to know I must have left the cafe by the time im showing as checked into Coles.

If you dont check-out then you run the risk of being made to ISO because a case visited the same venue hours after you were there. Checking out means you can prove werent there at the same time.

Yes thanks I had discovered the ‘late checkout’ arrangement for NSW. ACT doesn’t check out so I don’t know how that would work if there was an actual case. Hopefully we won’t have to find out!

 

[jakeseven7]

NSW establishments are very good at ensuring people check in. In SA the only place I've been asked if I've checked in, is our local bottle shop. No other place has asked.

We can’t be hanging in the same Sydney joints then, I’ve not been ‘checked’ for a long time.

Everywhere definitely still displaying QR codes of course, but no one policing them - to be fair I haven’t seen that in any state for a while now.

 

[Lynda2475]

We can’t be hanging in the same Sydney joints then, I’ve not been ‘checked’ for a long time.

All restaurants Ive been to (dine in, not take-out) have been enforcing check-ins still and if you go to theatre (Opera House, Wharf, Lyric) you cant even enter the foyer without wearing a mask and showing the usher you proof of check-in (they check that before your actual ticket).

I agree people are getting lazy at supermarket, and checking in for takeout has never been a thing.

Im sure there are some venues that aren't insisting on it, but beware there have been marshalls issuing fines at cafes etc in last few weeks. It is being policed randomly, they fine patrons and venue. Pub owner was telling they were at the pub last weekend.

 

[kyanar]

The Check In Qld app sounds just like the ACT one. Cheers skip

It's not "like" it, it's the exact same app with different branding. In a rare case of common sense, Queensland decided not to reinvent the wheel.

 

[Berlin]

Sorry guys if my questions are a bit basic but as a Kiwi traveling back home to Australia for the first time at the end of this week, I am quite keen to understand. What are you talking about here- are there different tracer apps for different states?

I've so far downloaded what I thought was the 'official' one but please tell me if that's not correct, it's called COVIDsafe and has a green logo. Alas, when trying to register, it always tells me that my phone number isn't correct and I've tried any possible combination of no '0' in front and so on, both my Kiwi and Aussie number- fail. Is that a common error or am I using the wrong app maybe?

It's all very different from what we have here in NZ- no registration at all necessary and a mostly smooth experience with display of QR codes mandatory at pretty much all public places so pretty confused here. FYI, I will be traveling to NSW and QLD on this trip.

 

[eastwest101]

Sorry guys if my questions are a bit basic but as a Kiwi traveling back home to Australia for the first time at the end of this week, I am quite keen to understand. What are you talking about here- are there different tracer apps for different states?

I've so far downloaded what I thought was the 'official' one but please tell me if that's not correct, it's called COVIDsafe and has a green logo. Alas, when trying to register, it always tells me that my phone number isn't correct and I've tried any possible combination of no '0' in front and so on, both my Kiwi and Aussie number- fail. Is that a common error or am I using the wrong app maybe?

It's all very different from what we have here in NZ- no registration at all necessary and a mostly smooth experience with display of QR codes mandatory at pretty much all public places so pretty confused here. FYI, I will be traveling to NSW and QLD on this trip.

The official COVIDSAFEsafe app that you have essentially achieves nothing, and can be removed from your phone. This is Australia and why have one common app when you can have 7 different state apps that all reinvent the wheel and collect disparate information and don't talk to each other, thus creating hundreds of "make-busy" jobs.

When you arrive from NZ (or even before if you know which states) you will be able to download the state/territory apps relevant to which state and territory you are in. Apologies if you are visiting more than one state/territory in Australia but you may need one for each jurisdiction.

 

[Lynda2475]

Yes each state and territory has its own app for checking in at venues and are completely separate form the CovidSAFE app which doesn't allow you to check in. Some states still also allow non official apps, but this loophole is being phased out.

For example in NSW you need the Service NSW app. In ACT you need the Check In CBR app.

The COVIDSafe app was introduced early last year (before mandatory QR check ins became a thing) and basically just drains your battery (due to heavy bluetooth and GPS use) storing data about other app users that are near you. If the Commonwealth is notified of a Covid positive (by other means) and that person was using CovidSAFE, they would in theory also know about you. The problem is that virtually no one is still using this app as it has been surpassed by check in apps. Also because the number of time it helped during an outbreak could be counted on one hand, vs the state based check in app which allows state health departments to sms all people who have been at a venue within minutes.

 

[Berlin]

Yes each state and territory has its own app for checking in at venues and are completely separate form the CovidSAFE app which doesn't allow you to check in. Some states still also allow non official apps, but this loophole is being phased out.

In NSW you the Service NSW app. In ACT you need the Check In CBR app.

The COVIDSafe app was introduced early last year (before mandatory QR check ins became a thing) and basically just drains your battery (due to heavy bluetooth and GPS use) storing data about other app users that are near you, which Commonwealth can query should you be identified (by other means) as being at a venue that a positive person was at the same time. The problem is that virtually no one is still using this app as it has mostly been superseded by check in apps. Also because the number of time it helped during an outbreak could be counted on one hand, vs the state based check in app which allows state health departments to sms quickly.

Oh my goodness, thanks for all this info- I had no idea! That app is hereby leaving my phone The Service NSW app I already have anyway so that's great. Does anyone know which one to get for Queensland- is it "CheckIn QLD" or is there are different one I should use?

Thanks a lot. This forum never disappoints!

 

[Lynda2475]

Yep its the Check in Qld app (which is a clone of Check in CBR), Qld one of the last states to move to mandatory use of a state based app.