The NSW government has announced that all venues across the state will need to have a digital registration system in place that can record patrons' names and contact details by November 23 for COVID-19 contact tracing[1], or they risk being penalised.
The state government has suggested venues can electronically keep records of patrons through a QR code.
Conveniently, the NSW government went live with its QR code COVID-19 contact tracing scanner[2] solution in September. Integrated into the latest version of Service NSW, the technology allows customers to use a QR code scanner to check in at hospitality venues and Service NSW centres across the state, which will enable contact tracers to quickly access customer details for potential COVID-19 contact tracing.
For customers who do not have access to a smartphone, the state government suggested that contact details and time of entry are recorded using a digital device.
"We can't respond to a pandemic with paper. We must be fast and precise and digital is the best way forward," Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said.
"We have to move away from the walk-in culture to the check-in culture. This is about building resilience as we continue to open up as safely as possible heading into summer."
The new mandate will apply to venues including amusement centres, aquariums, crematoria, drive-in cinemas, entertainment facilities, function centres, funeral homes, education facilities, zoos and reptile parks, major recreation facilities, indoor recreation facilities, public swimming pools, properties operated by the National Trust or the Historic Houses Trust, and hospitality venues, such as casinos, food and rinks premises, breweries or distillers, pubs, bars, and registered clubs.
Business premises used for auction houses; beauty, hairdressing, waxing, and tanning salons; spas; tattoo or massage parlours;