COVID UPDATE – QLD ENTRY & ELECTRONIC CHECK IN
Posted on: 22 December
Over the last week we have again seen changes to the QLD border controls.
We plead all Members to adhere to the government instructions as you would have seen how quickly it can escalate. Greater Sydney is again a hotspot and we need you to stay at home and self isolate if you have returned later than 01.00am Monday, 21st Dec.
Our Members have been very responsive throughout this year and have worked hard to keep each other safe, now is not the time to ignore that we will have to live with this for some time.
ENTRY TO QUEENSLAND – GENERAL
- A person must not enter Queensland unless the person either:
- has not been in a COVID-19 hotspot in the previous 14 days or since the start date identified for the COVID-19 hotspot, whichever is shorter; or
- has been in a COVID-19 hotspot in the previous 14 days or since the start date identified for the COVID-19 hotspot, whichever is shorter, but is permitted to enter Queensland under part 2.
Note: On 19 December 2020 one local government area in New South Wales was declared as a COVID-19 hotspot. The start date identified for the COVID-19 hotspot is 11 December 2020.
To remove any doubt, if an area of Australia is removed from the list of COVID-19 hotspots, a person may enter Queensland as soon as the area is no longer a COVID-19 hotspot, even if the person had been in the COVID-19 hotspot in the 14 days prior to their entry to Queensland.
Example – The Northern Territory is decided by the Chief Health Officer to be a COVID-19 hotspot on 1 June 2020 and removed as a COVID-19 hotspot from 10 am on 1 September 2020. A person may enter Queensland from 10am on 1 September 2020, even if the person had been in the Northern Territory during the previous 14 days.
- A person who enters Queensland and develops symptoms consistent with COVID-19 within 14 days after entry, must present for a COVID-19 test.
ELECTRONIC CHECK IN
Over the weekend, the Premier made an announcement that all businesses have 72 hours to move away from paper-based check-ins when collecting contact tracing information.
“So we are giving a very clear message to our pubs, clubs and cafes right across Queensland, that you will have 72 hours to get your house in order and that means you must have QR Codes or you must have electronic devices in place otherwise you will be going back to the one per 4 square meter and people will not be able to stand up and enjoy their drinks”, the Premier said.
What does this mean for clubs?
If a Club operates an existing electronic system of ‘sign in’, that collects necessary contact tracing information, this will be sufficient.
If a Club operates a manual system of sign-in, the Club will also now need implement an electronic system to gather contact tracing information, such as using a QR code system.
In relation to patrons who do not use smart phone technology and are unable to use a QR code system, this issue is currently being confirmed with Queensland Health. Until we obtain more clarity, Clubs should ensure such patrons use any other available system, which may include a paper based system. If using a paper based system, Clubs should ensure that entries are scrutinised to ensure handwriting is legible.