Trampers urge DOC to provide QR codes at huts and toilets

Slip, slop, slap and scan – that was the message given to New Zealanders as they entered their first summer without international tourists in decades.

But with many New Zealanders exploring the great outdoors, trampers are questioning why Covid-19 QR codes are not available at popular Department of Conservation (DOC) huts and toilets.

Nelson resident Jan is one of them. She has visited the Heaphy Track, Elaine Bay campsite and Tauranga Bay. But she is baffled that the familiar bright yellow striped QR code signs are nowhere to be seen at DOC toilet stops or facilities.

Earlier this month, the Ministry of Health urged people not to become complacent after daily QR code scanning rates almost halved compared with November.

Jan said it made no sense to push for people to scan and then not have codes available at well-used huts and toilets.

DOC confirmed there are QR codes in DOC campsites with a ranger present and at visitor centres but they are not required at other facilities, including huts and on tracks.

Waikato Tramping Club president Selwyn June said his members would certainly scan if there was a QR code available.

‘‘We would expect them to be on DOC huts, really, because people are crammed in together in the huts and you don’t always know who the other people are.’’

DOC heritage and visitors director Steve Taylor said the department had good systems to keep people safe but visitors had to play their part. ‘‘It is up to individuals to play their part in keeping themselves safe, choose what activities they are comfortable with, stay home if unwell and to keep a record of where they have been.

‘‘Ministry of Health advice is that the risk of spreading Covid-19 is low in places in the outdoors, like huts, campsites and tracks. At huts, visitors are encouraged to use the intentions system, hut books or to book and those methods are used to contact trace.’’