SafeEntry Australia has released Australia’s first community-driven COVID-19 touchless check-in app with automated contact tracing and alerts.

SafeEntry Australia enables businesses to check-in an unlimited number of visitors at their premises using a unique QR code, as well as person-to-person check-in, and to trace visitors in the event of a positive case on their premises.

Rather than using invasive GPS or Bluetooth technology, which often exchanges geolocations between devices, SafeEntry Australia uses QR Code technology for businesses to check-in visitors anonymously.

Business owners just need to register their venue with SafeEntry Australia, which will then provide them with a unique QR code for their venue. When visitors arrive at their premises, they simply scan that code – which can be placed at the front entrance – on their smartphone or tablet, to facilitate a quick, touchless check-in. The business receives an instant app alert if a patron is confirmed COVID-19 positive.

SafeEntry Australia also enables users to check-in individually with family, friends, or work colleagues by scanning a persons’ unique QR code when they meet up. Users can also download individual QR codes for various locations, such as their home, workplace or even their car, by simply registering these locations within the app.

Once a QR code is scanned, the device exchanges an anonymised ID, which is stored securely in encrypted form in Australia-based data centres only. If a user declares they are infected with COVID-19, the app will notify all people and locations the user has scanned within the last 14 days.

The app was developed in close collaboration with Australian data platform technology specialist, Apiro, and leading Australian mobile development and integration company, Mountain Pass.

The idea for the app was inspired by digital health consultant and psychologist at Apiro, Linda Manoukian, who, after spending 14 days in hotel quarantine in Australia, found the manual contact tracing process both inefficient and time-consuming for businesses and users. As a result, along with a team from Mountain Pass and Apiro, she foresaw an opportunity to implement a digital touchless check-in system with an algorithm that automates the contact tracing process.

Two-thirds (67%) of businesses are interested in a touchless check-in solution for customers, with an integrated touchless menu display, so they don’t have to worry about record-keeping, according to a recent SafeEntry Australia survey. The majority of Victorian and WA businesses (an equal 75%) want this kind of solution, followed by 71% of NSW businesses, 59% of Queensland businesses and 57% of SA businesses.

30% of businesses do not use a compliant check-in system

The launch of the check-in app coincides with a SafeEntry Australia survey which found that 30% of Australian businesses with customer foot traffic do not use a visitor check-in system that complies with their state government directives, and 21% do not use a check-in system at all.

West Australian businesses are the least compliant with 35% of its businesses with foot traffic not checking in visitors at all. NSW businesses are ahead of the country in two aspects. Firstly, the sophistication of their systems with 56% using digital check-in systems, and secondly, with government compliance with just 14% of its businesses not checking in visitors.

With many pubs, restaurants and cafes using paper-based methods – which can be seen by other patrons – there is fear among customers about privacy breaches and safety concerns. Overall, 40% business owners nationally said visitors did not feel comfortable leaving their details on paper for other visitors to see.

Victorians, Queenslanders and South Australians are least comfortable about giving their details to businesses with up to 44% saying that their patrons have told them they are uncomfortable with it. This compares with just 25% of WA businesses and 39% of NSW businesses.