Reminder to check in via QR codes, South Australia

South Australia Police are reminding members of the public to be vigilant in scanning COVID-19 QR codes when entering businesses.

Commissioner of Police Grant Stevens said QR codes are critical in providing important information in contact tracing and will ensure businesses can remain open with the current level of restrictions.

“SA Police have taken an educational approach to QR codes in many cases, however we expect by now businesses to be well versed on their requirements,” he said.

“Businesses are obligated to make sure that people coming into their premises check in, there’s also an obligation on the patron to check in at some point whilst they’re visiting that business.”

There are up to 1 million QR code check-ins daily, and 18.2million deletions of check-in information have occurred since it was introduced. More than 43,000 businesses have an active QR code. We require businesses yet to implement a QR code to do so as soon as possible. Information about how to get a QR code is available at covid-19.sa.gov.au/restrictions-and-responsibilities/covid-safe-check-in

Since QR codes commenced on 14 December 2020, until 18 January 2021, there have been 6121 business compliance checks, resulting in 213 fines and cautions issued to persons and businesses for not complying with QR Code requirements. This included five fines to businesses and 131 cautions, while 42 individuals have been fined and 35 cautioned.

In the same period of time, there were 477 non-compliant businesses – which means some of those businesses could have breached multiple offences on multiple occasions. This could have included a combination of breaches of QR codes, COVID Marshal requirements, COVIDSafe plans or some other breaches.

Since the State of Emergency was declared SAPOL has issued a total of 1070 fines and 2168 cautions to individuals and businesses.

Of these, 61 fines have been issued to body corporates (businesses) which includes a $5000 fine plus Victims of Crime Levy. There were 1058 cautions issued to businesses. A total of 1009 individuals received a $1000 fine plus Victims of Crime Levy. 1110 cautions were issued to individuals.

“Compliance officers routinely check the square meterage of business venues, and in some cases have found the measurements documented on their COVID Safe Plans to be inflated thereby increasing the capacity of patrons / customers allowed in,” said Commissioner Stevens.

Over the last two weekends, two nightclubs have received $5000 fines for breaching the Public Activities Direction for operating as a nightclub without an approved SA Health COVID Management Plan.

“It is important to remind the community and business owners that they are required to actively use the QR codes on every occasion. They are an important part of our response to protect South Australians from the spread of COVID, by enhancing contact tracing in the event of an outbreak,” Commissioner Stevens said.

/Public Release. View in full here.