Announcing that the state had removed QR codes in some contexts, Queensland Health Minister Yvette D`Ath acknowledged that compliance with controls at large retail establishments, including supermarkets, was low. The changes come after months of sustained criticism of Victoria`s QR code system, with the switch to a unified system across the state only taking effect on May 28 – the first official day of lockdown in Melbourne. His reasoning differs from the public comments made by the Andrews government in recent weeks: that QR codes must be maintained so as not to break habits in case of new variants and to strengthen the vaccinated economy. “Changes to QR code requirements will continue to focus on the riskiest parameters that are most likely to generate super-spreader events – and we will continue to review the system over time based on the epidemiological situation.” A person scans a QR code in the city in early January. Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui Victorians no longer need to prove they are fully vaccinated to enter restaurants or self-isolate if they are in close contact under a series of changes to the state`s COVID rules. She only knew she had to sign up for a QR code last Friday, when two reps visited her shop to check on compliance. Despite the new regulations, which will come into effect on June 10, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. for certain workplaces, such as offices, an amnesty is in place until June 24 at 11:59 p.m. “I think it`s obvious that people get a little complacent when it comes to QR codes,” Pallas said. “What`s important, however, is that they fill a vital part of the architecture of the vaccinated economy.” However, a government spokeswoman told ABC that there was a two-week amnesty period for retailers and supermarkets to implement the QR code system, and the government was also working on an alternative registration system. He said they were able to help customers who had never used a QR code before, but also acknowledged that it could be harder for smaller retail stores to enforce the new rules. Acting Prime Minister James Merlino said authorized officials would visit supermarkets and other retail establishments to make sure people were following the rules. The state government continues to advocate maintaining QR codes.
AAP/Daniel Pockett treasurer Tim Pallas admitted on Saturday that Victorians had become “a bit complacent” about using the codes after Sunday Age data showed the number of scans had fallen from 45.6 million in the last week of November to a weekly average of 20.3 million in February. Fred Harrison, chief executive of Ritchie`s IGA, said there was uncertainty yesterday on the eve of the new registration rules, but customers were coming to their stores to do the right thing. Last week, Queensland lifted the requirement for people to register in places that do not require proof of vaccination status, such as supermarkets. The reason given was a lack of compliance. ACT and South Australia have also reduced the use of QR codes. “That`s exactly what we said, we wouldn`t have rules longer than necessary,” he said. Australia`s top decision-making body, the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee, has previously said the rules for close contact should remain in place until the peak of Omicron BA.2 is over. Victorians are forgoing QR code registrations as COVID-19 cases are declining, despite the state government`s insistence that they remain mandatory. On the eve of the new rules, there were also start-up issues and uncertainty about what retailers should do. Sunday age may also show that warrants for QR code use are based on health advice given more than two months ago, before the Omicron variant took off in Victoria. Victoria`s lockdown has been extended, but there are now differences between Greater Melbourne and the regions.
Here are all the new rules and restrictions. A number of remaining COVID-19 rules will be relaxed in Victoria ahead of the weekend, with the removal of QR registration requirements and density limits. QR code registration requirements will also no longer be required in retail businesses and schools, as well as in most workplaces. For more information on trade commitments, how to sign up for the QR code system and set up a kiosk service, visit the Victorian Government website now. “There are retail stores that work alone, so they will try to create QR codes and serve customers at the same time. It`s a challenge. She feared that some of her clients – especially older migrants with poor English skills – would have difficulty downloading the app and scanning the QR code. Under the new state government rules, customers must log in with the state government`s QR code registration app, Service Victoria. The government insists that QR codes are sometimes used for contact tracing in high-risk environments and during outbreaks of five or more people. Andrews said QR code registration will still be necessary once the mandatory two-dose vaccine saving is in place, including in restaurants and pubs.