Businesses face fines for QR breaches

VICTORIAN businesses flouting QR code check-in rules will face new on-the-spot fines after the latest COVID-19 scare exposed flaws in the system.

Last week the State Government announced businesses breaking check-in rules will face a $1652 on-the-spot fine, and further penalties of up to $9913 and prosecution for repeated breaches.

Checks last week showed more than a third of businesses are not complying with QR code rules.

It followed authorities dishing out 165 enforcement notices and 300 warnings as part of a three-week blitz of 4000 cafes, shops and restaurants in April.

The breaches included a lack of signage, failing to use QR codes, and not having a COVID-safe plan.

While most businesses are doing the right thing, Acting Police Minister Danny Pearson said others were “letting down” Victorians after the state fought to defeat its deadly second wave.

“As we’ve seen this week, it’s essential every Victorian checks in when visiting a business, to help contact tracers quickly find those who could be at risk of coronavirus exposure,” he said in a statement on Thursday.

The government’s QR code system will only become mandatory for businesses from the end of May, with the opposition questioning why it didn’t follow NSW’s lead earlier.

“They’ve had months to get this right and they’ve failed to do so,” shadow health minister Georgie Crozier told reporters.

An average of 28,000 check-ins are being registered on the system every day, with more than 91,000 businesses signing up.

– BY AAP