Are you still wondering whether your business needs a QR check-in code? Short answer – yes.
For most businesses in popular industries such as hospitality, entertainment, pubs, bars, salons and few other businesses, QR check-in codes are indeed mandatory as of Monday 23 November 2020. The NSW Government announced it as an efficient electronic check-in system, to accurately assist in collecting patron and staff details for contact tracing.
So what do you have to do as a business owner to comply to these new measures?
Step 1: Find out whether your business is affected
Consider whether your business is a venue with public access. If you answered yes, your business is most likely affected by these new measures and you may need a QR code. To list some of the affected venues, the rules apply to:
- Amusement centres
- Aquariums
- Business premises used for auction houses
- Nail/beauty/hairdressing/waxing/tanning salons, spas/tattoos/massage parlours
- Crematoria
- Drive-in cinemas
- Hospitality venues (including casinos, food/drink premises, micro-breweries, small distilleries, pubs, small bars, registered clubs)
- Function centres
Still unclear whether your business needs a QR check-in code? Carefully read through this exhaustive list announced by the NSW Government.
Step 2: Create an alternative check-in method
Even if you have a QR code for your business, it’s definitely possible for some customers to be unable to check-in. They may be experiencing data outage, general issues with their phone or just simply not own a phone. These may seem like unusual circumstances but as a business owner, you’re responsible for taking these rare situations into account and having an alternative check-in method available. In these situations, your business can:
- Use an SMS service
- Any other form of electronic system
- Manual check-in with a staff member
So long as the alternative system records the customer’s time of entry and contact details (name, phone number). And note, venues are required to delete all records whether it is in form of electronic or paper after 28 days if the customer’s details are not required for contact tracing.
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Browse nowStep 3: Receive the QR check-in code
When you download the COVID Safe Registration pack, you will automatically receive a unique QR code with the Service NSW app. It also comes with the alternative online forms for checking in customers who cannot use the QR code.
You are still free to use your own check-in method even if your business is not required to use the COVID Safe Check-in QR code according to the NSW Government. Remember, as long as you record the customer’s contact details and time of entry.
Final Note
Remember, the QR Check-in method is merely one of the COVID safe measures for efficient and accurate contact tracing. There are various other methods for you to ensure your business remains COVID safe! Read How to Ensure Your Retail Business is COVID Safe to find out more about effective COVID safe measures. You can consider:
- Mandatory face masks for staff and patrons
- Implementing a COVID-19 Safety Plan
- Crisis management approach
- Ditching paper receipts to minimise spreading germs
- Reviewing in-store feedback and evolving to it
Now stay safe everyone!
