Covid Tracer app discount to diners
A small Central Otago hotel is offering guests a 10 per cent discount on meals if they use the Covid-19 Tracer app.
The managing director of Ophir’s Blacks Hotel, Alex Stoddart, says the offer will be available from next week and he hopes businesses across the country will offer similar incentives to help prevent another lockdown.
‘‘If a small country hotel like us can do it, I am sure the big chains can jump on the bandwagon as well. Something as simple as scanning in and getting a free dessert could work,’’ he said.
‘‘Maybe something like this could get the ball rolling and then it becomes second nature after a while.’’
The 10-room hotel was built in Ophir, between Alexandra and Ranfurly, in 1937. It is close to the Otago Central Rail Trail and attracts guests from across New Zealand. ‘‘We took over the property in 2016. It is a cool wee destination, so we just want to keep it going if we can,’’ Stoddart said.
Staff had moved the Covid Tracer QR code to the bar and restaurant area, so they could see when customers used it.
Stoddart said they came up with the idea after hearing about the lack of people using the Covid-19 Tracer app.
‘‘It got us thinking that if we went into another lockdown, because we are in the hospitality industry, it would bugger us up a wee bit, to be honest.
‘‘We thought, what could we do as a business to offer an incentive for people to scan in?’’
Stuff launched the ‘‘Stop! Scanner time’’ campaign last week to remind Kiwis of the importance of scanning Covid QR codes after it was revealed the number of daily scans was down to a fifth of its peak.
Stoddart said he could understand why people did not always use the app but it was important they did.
‘‘I have been guilty of it – you walk into places and you can’t be bothered sometimes – but it is pretty scary how quickly [Covid-19] can come back into the country and put us back into a lockdown and stop everything again,’’ he said.
‘‘We have come so far so it would be good not to go backwards.’’