Check-ins to stay for NSW pubs but not malls if COVID cases keep falling

Low-risk venues such as shopping centres and cafes would be the first to abandon mandatory QR check-ins in NSW if coronavirus cases continue to fall, with some locations to use voluntary sign-ins by Christmas if health advice allows.

The architect of the state’s pandemic QR code app admits the “system is not the best customer experience”, but anticipates check-in rules will be switched on and off into 2022 depending on the trajectory of the pandemic and if outbreaks hit certain areas.

Customer Service Minister Victor Dominello said he supported retiring the use of QR codes in lower-risk settings in the “near future”, but checking in to high-risk zones such as gyms, weddings and pubs will likely remain into next year.

In another change to COVID-19 management, it is expected NSW will soon adopt the same model as Victoria where fully vaccinated close contacts will no longer need to isolate for seven days – instead, they will only need to quarantine until returning a negative PCR test. It is anticipated this will extend to children under 12.

Source: smh.com.au