CHECK-IN DODGERS ‘RISKING OUTBREAK’

SOME Gold Coast residents are refusing to use the Check In Qld app to avoid isolation and testing in the event they visit a Covid exposure site, a restaurant owner says.

Meanwhile, a Kingscliff hospitality boss said some Tweed venues were flouting NSW’S Covid rules by serving unvaccinated people.

Vincent Davies (pictured) is the owner of Max Seafood Restaurant in Broadbeach – the same suburb where the state’s latest Covid case was staying while infectious.

Mr Davies said his staff had been handing out QR codes to many customers who were not using the check-in app on arrival. People were not checking in so they could avoid being traced if they entered an exposure site, he said.

“We had a couple recently where we had given them a QR code and the husband didn’t want to check-in,” Mr Davies said. “His wife had to physically remove herself from the table so the husband couldn’t see her checking in.”

A prominent GP said it was “very concerning” and could cause “huge ramifications” in the state’s battle against Covid.

Dr Sonu Haikerwal said a “huge sense of complacency and fatigue” had set in on the Gold Coast towards Covid restrictions.

“Our testing num - bers are the lowest they hav e e v e r been,” she said. “There is that fatigue, lack of motivation and enthusiasm that we are seeing from people.”

By not using the check-in app, Gold Coasters risked causing a Covid outbreak, Dr Haikerwal said.

“This could have huge ramifications,” she said. “Queensland has avoided big outbreaks for two reasons. One is because we spend so much time outdoors. The second is because of our contact tracing.”

She said being kind and supporting each other was the best way to combat Covid fatigue.

But Kingscliff Beach Bowls Club general manager Phil Kelly said it was not just customers flouting the rules.

Mr Kelly said he was aware of several Tweed licensed venues that were not checking customers’ vaccination status.

“A customer said ‘we’ve been all around town and this is the first time we’ve been asked’,” he said.

NSW police said those who did not comply with Covid requirements could face a fine of $1000 for individuals and $5000 for corporations.

“Compliance with Covid-19 restrictions within a venue is the responsibility of the business owner or manager and police will provide assistance where requested,” a police spokeswoman said.

Queensland Health said the app had been downloaded more than 4.9 million times across both Apple and Android.

“Now is not the time to become complacent, especially if you live on the Gold Coast where a Covid-19 case was infectious in the community for 10 days,” a spokesperson said.

“The app is all about keeping everyone safe when there is an increased risk of Covid-19.

“It helps to make contact tracing faster and more reliable in the event of an outbreak.”