The Victorian government launched its QR (quick response) code check-in system on Monday following weeks of criticism that an absence of the contact tracing tool was putting Victorians at risk.
And on the first day of its rollout Victorians are already citing issues, with Melbourne resident Lachlan Thomas unable to register after multiple attempts.
“It’s such a simple form – your name, email, phone and tick a couple of boxes and that’s it – yet there’s still issues,” he said.
Mr Thomas said he tried registering on multiple browsers on multiple occasions, but still the system would fail to register his details.
He then called the support line provided on the online form, and was told the system was “likely overwhelmed” and to “try again later”.
“It defeats the purpose of having this tool,” he said.
“The government has taken months to develop a QR code system, and when it’s finally launched it’s not working – it’s useless – it’s like the COVIDSafe app.”
After registering details online with the free QR code service, users can then download and print a poster with the Victorian government QR code and display it in their businesses.
Visitors then must scan the QR code using their smartphone camera.
For those with up-to-date smartphone software, a pop-up will appear asking for a first name and contact number.
For other users, they will be directed to download the Service Victoria mobile app from the Apple or Google Play app stores to complete the check-in.
The QR code record keeping is mandatory for smaller hospitality venues with a density limit of one person for every two square metres – up to 50 customers.
The opposition kept up the heat on the Labor government in the weeks prior, with Liberal health spokesperson Georgie Crozier saying the delay to roll out a QR system to Victorian businesses was “hopeless”.
Government Services Minister Danny Pearson assured Victorian business owners that the QR code service was safe to use.
“Our QR code service will make keeping records of visitors easy and straightforward – so business owners have more time to support their staff and customers,” he said.
All data collected is securely stored and then deleted after 28 days, unless it is specifically requested by the Department of Health and Human Services for contact tracing purposes.
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