Changes to Victoria's contact tracing rules and regulations will come into effect at the end of the month, meaning businesses around Ararat will need to make sure their system is up to scratch.
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An extensive list of business types must use the free Victorian Government QR Code Service or Victorian Government Application Programming Interface (API) linked digital record keeping system from March 26.
The original grace period given to businesses was due to expire on April 23, but workplaces have been given an extra week to sign up for the system or they may be fined up to $9913.
Greater Ararat Business Network president Maria Whitford is urging venues and customers to remain patient.
"Most businesses must've had some kind of registration in place, and a lot of them already had a QR code option available," she said.
"However, having said that, and now that it is mandated it can be a bit difficult for the older population.
"Everybody needs to be patient and here at the Ararat RSL we have an iPad and we are assisting them with that process.
"And everybody needs to take some personal responsibility, because they would want to know if we had and outbreak.
"I think it is about patience on both ends. We have to remember this isn't the businesses ideal situation to be running their business.
"I can't wait until this is all over and we don't have to worry about this stuff."
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"We are just waiting for the green light from the government pretty much.
"Our customers understand it is an obligation we have to meet and when you look overseas we are so, so lucky, so it just is a small inconvenience."
Workplaces and venues required to record visitors through the free QR code system must have their records linked to the record keeping system by Friday April 30 2021.
However, businesses can have patrons record their contact details by hand or onto another device such as an online form that does not require the use of a phone camera to scan a QR code.
Under the rules, venues must make reasonable efforts to ensure that visitors can use a compliant recordkeeping system even where a visitor cannot access the system on their own device for some reason (e.g. they do not have a mobile phone).
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This could include making a terminal (e.g. an iPad) available for customers to sign in, or staff assisting the customer to sign in.
In exceptional circumstances where such an approach is not practicable, an alternative record keeping approach (including a non-electronic approach) can be used as a back-up.
Kathy Sparks is a regular cafe diner and said she often 'signs-in' using different methods depending on the venue.
"I'm normally sign-in and I'll do the QR code too," she said.
"It can be a bit painful having to do it all the time and sometimes you think about where you details might be going, but I don't worry too much.
"Using the mobile device is is easy enough for me and for my family, and I have some family who live in the city and they have just got used to it."
Restaurants, cafes, pubs, bars, clubs and hotels all need to be using the Service Victoria check-in system. Any location that serves food and drinks must also make the QR code system available for patrons.
An extensive list of other venues that must use the QR code system can be found on the Victorian Government website
Business operators can apply for their own QR code through the state government's online registration page.