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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Checks last week showed more than a third of businesses are not complying with QR code rules.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The breaches included a lack of signage, failing to use QR codes, and not having a COVID-safe plan.<\/p>\n
While most businesses are doing the right thing,\u00a0Acting Police Minister Danny Pearson said others were “letting down” Victorians after the state fought to defeat its deadly second wave.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“They’ve had months to get this right and they’ve failed to do so,” shadow health minister Georgie Crozier told reporters.<\/p>\n
An average of 28,000 check-ins are being registered on the system every day, with more than 91,000 businesses signing up.<\/p>\n
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