Victorian businesses found intentionally flouting the Chief Health Officer’s rules—such as the requirement to use QR Code systems—will be slapped with a new $1,652 on-the-spot fine.
Venues and facilities are required to maintain an electronic record-keeping system for all visitors—which is critical for ensuring quick contact tracing in the event of a new coronavirus case, as we have seen this week, an official press release said.
During the Government’s three-week COVIDSafe Blitz in April, more than 4,000 hospitality and retail businesses were checked for compliance across metropolitan and regional Victoria.
More than 165 enforcement notices were issued throughout the operation and a further 300 verbal warnings—with common issues including failure to use QR codes, no COVIDSafe Plan and no density quotient signage.
Enforcement checks over the past week alone continue to show a worrying trend of complacency, with 37 per cent of businesses visited flagged as non-compliant with QR Code check-in rules.
The new on-the-spot fine allows Authorised Officers to issue an immediate penalty which will deter businesses from intentionally ignoring Chief Health Officer rules and putting Victoria’s hard-won gains at risk.
Authorised officers will be out and about throughout May and June, targeting compliance with record-keeping and QR code requirements. Businesses not doing the right thing will be issued with the $1,652 fine, along with an Improvement Notice which triggers a follow up visit.
Where there are repeated breaches, a further $9,913 fine can be issued and businesses may be prosecuted in court for continued, blatant or wilful non-compliance with the rules.
This approach will ensure the focus continues to be on helping businesses to follow the rules, while still enforcing fines on blatant breaches. The new fine bolsters the mandatory switch to the free Victorian Government QR Code Service through the Service Victoria app from 28 May 2021.
More than 91,000 Victorian organisations have signed up for the free Victorian Government QR Code Service across 125,000 different locations—with more than 21.5 million check-ins—an average of 280,000 a day.
Acting Minister for Police and Emergency Services Danny Pearson said, “As we’ve seen this week, it’s essential every Victorian checks in when visiting a business, to help contact tracers quickly find those who could be at risk of coronavirus exposure.”
Follow The Indian Sun on Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
Victorian businesses found intentionally flouting the Chief Health Officer’s rules—such as the requirement to use QR Code systems—will be slapped with a new $1,652 on-the-spot fine. #TheIndianSunhttps://t.co/iv2RJTnxZ7
— The Indian Sun (@The_Indian_Sun) May 13, 2021
Donate To The Indian Sun
Dear Reader,The Indian Sun is an independent organisation committed to community journalism. We have, through the years, been able to reach a wide audience especially with the growth of social media, where we also have a strong presence. With platforms such as YouTube videos, we have been able to engage in different forms of storytelling. However, the past few years, like many media organisations around the world, it has not been an easy path. We have a greater challenge. We believe community journalism is very important for a multicultural country like Australia. We’re not able to do everything, but we aim for some of the most interesting stories and journalism of quality. We call upon readers like you to support us and make any contribution. Do make a DONATION NOW so we can continue with the volume and quality journalism that we are able to practice.
Thank you for your support.
Best wishes,
Team The Indian Sun
