The requirement to ‘check in’ at retail venues and taxis/rideshares will be highlighted in three days of COVID-19 compliance action across the state, starting tomorrow.

Tasmania Police officers will join with Environmental Health Officers, Transport Inspectors and WorkSafe Inspectors in high-visibility days of action to raise awareness of the requirement for customers to check-in at shops, cafes, taxis (including ride shares) and other venues.

Under Section 16 of the Public Health Act, businesses are required to register for Check In TAS and provide access to a QR code. All people aged 16 years and older are required check-in.

Anyone who refuses to check-in faces a fine of $778.50.

The three days of action will be conducted in Hobart on 26 August, Launceston on 27 August and Burnie on 30 August.

Tasmania Police Assistant Commissioner Jonathan Higgins said:

“We’ve been taking an educative approach for some time now and people have had time to adapt to the requirement to check-in. 

“Anyone who fails to check in, and then refuses to do so upon request, will face a fine.

“The days of action are about actively monitoring compliance and increasing awareness that this is not a choice and people must check in,” he said.

Department of Health Secretary and State Health Commander Kathrine Morgan-Wicks said:

“Most Tasmanians are committed to keeping Tasmania COVID free, and understand that Check In TAS is a tool that will support us to identify and follow up with people if we learn they may have been exposed to a positive case of COVID-19.

“The responsibility is on both businesses and patrons to support the Check In TAS arrangements,” she said. 

WorkSafe Tasmania Executive Director Robyn Pearce said:

“Contact tracing makes workplaces safer by helping to quickly identify people who may have been exposed to COVID and the workplaces they may have visited.

“Businesses that display the Check In TAS QR code and encourage their workers and patrons to check in will be able to demonstrate to WorkSafe inspectors that they have a method of contact tracing in place.

“It’s important that businesses, workers and patrons support each other by being COVID-Safe to help keep Tasmanian workplaces and the community safe,” she said.