Changes to the COVID-19 Check In TAS app have not been a concern to the hospitality and business industries, according to key stakeholders.
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As of Wednesday, people were required to check in using the Check In TAS app as soon as they enter a business or location where mandatory check in was required, regardless of how long they planned to spend there.
From July 31, the list of locations where the check in was mandatory would be expanded to include mobile food vans and stalls, accommodation, libraries, child care centres, schools, residential aged care facilities, hairdressers, vets, and markets and fairs.
Tasmanian Hospitality Association chief executive Steve Old said hospitality was the first sector to have contact tracing, and though the changes were an added responsibility, they were part of normal operations.
"The latest change will take a bit of adjusting to educate patrons who are just picking up a takeaway coffee or lunch, but it's the new normal and the majority of people have got in the habit of checking in as soon as they enter a venue," Mr Old said.
"Checking in takes less than 10 seconds, and you're in the venue waiting anyway so it shouldn't be too much of an issue to keep yourself and those around you safe."
Launceston Chamber of Commerce executive officer David Peach said the onus was now on community members to be compliant when checking in.
"Certainly from my own point of view, I check in everywhere," he said.
Mr Old said good contact tracing was crucial to reducing community transmission.
"Staff are just doing their job and I'd implore people to remember that when they're out and about in venues," he said.
Department of Health secretary, and state health commander, Kathrine Morgan-Wicks said a record number of business registrations were processed on Tuesday.
"Almost 1200 premises around the state registered for their Check In TAS QR code ... almost doubling the previous highest number of registrations in a day," she said.
There were now 24,000 premises registered with the app, with the number to further increase due to the new changes.
"It is fantastic to see Tasmanian businesses getting on board and encouraging their customers to download and use Check in TAS at their premises," Ms Morgan-Wicks said.
"Using Check in TAS helps to protect every person that enters a business or venue, as well as staff members, in the event of a positive case of COVID-19."
More than 210,000 check ins were recorded on Tuesday, which was also a record for the state. Operators have until the end of the month to register and have their QR codes on display.
Those who must check in, but who do not own a smart phone can be checked in through someone with them, through the venue operators, or manually. A list of the new premises is available at coronavirus.tas.gov.au/check-in-tas.
Dana Anderson
On a Friday night you may see me at the theatre, a festival, an exhibition, or in the corner of one of my favourite establishments reading a novel. So, it makes sense I am the arts and what's on reporter for The Examiner. To contact me about a story please send an email to dana.anderson@examiner.com.au
On a Friday night you may see me at the theatre, a festival, an exhibition, or in the corner of one of my favourite establishments reading a novel. So, it makes sense I am the arts and what's on reporter for The Examiner. To contact me about a story please send an email to dana.anderson@examiner.com.au
