The ACT government's contact tracing app will have a function to enable businesses to sign in customers who don't own a smart phone ahead of the app becoming mandatory for all businesses.
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Businesses that don't use the Check In CBR app or knowingly let a patron into a venue without them signing in will be fined.
ACT Business Minister Tara Cheyne announced on Friday that businesses would have two weeks, until March 6, to implement the Check In CBR app.
"Businesses that don't register with the app will no longer be compliant with the public health direction," she said.
"It will also be mandatory for patrons to check into these venues using the Check In CBR app."
People older than 16 years will be required to sign in with the app and parents and guardians are encourage to check in on behalf of their children.
But for those who don't own a smart phone, Ms Cheyne said a new function has been added to the app to allow businesses to sign in customers.
"Importantly a new business function has been introduced to help businesses check in people who may not have a smart phone or might not be able to do so for themselves," she said.
"People who do not have a smart phone, do not need to go out and buy one to visit a venue, the venue will help check you in."
Individual business owners will be fined $1000 for non-compliance and corporations will be fined $5000.
Ticketed events, such as games at Canberra Stadium, will not be required to use the app as contact tracing could be done through ticket sales.
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The move to mandate the territory's app follows other jurisdictions. NSW made its Service NSW check in app mandatory in November.
Ms Cheyne said the ACT had not needed to make the move until now as community take-up had been good, it was only that restrictions had eased.
From 9am on Saturday, Canberrans will once again be able to stand while drinking and eating at indoor venues, and seats at the territory's sports stadiums can all be filled.
As well, large indoor performance venues and cinemas will be able to operate at 75 per cent capacity, event organisers can apply for an exemption to host up to 10,000 people, up from 8000, and outdoor gatherings can have up to 1000 people, up from 500.
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Lucy Bladen
Lucy Bladen has been a journalist at The Canberra Times since 2019. She is an ACT politics and health reporter. Email: l.bladen@canberratimes.com.au
Lucy Bladen has been a journalist at The Canberra Times since 2019. She is an ACT politics and health reporter. Email: l.bladen@canberratimes.com.au
