Slow QR Is Not OK
For all the talk of being brilliant contact tracers –– the Victorian Government is leaving potentially infected people roaming the community for days.
Member for Western Victoria, Bev McArthur, has told the State Parliament that the QR system is failing its purpose.
She has raised the example of a Geelong man who this week was advised he had been in a COVID-19 exposure site, six days after he had been there.
“How can this process be so negligently slow. At a vital stage, at the beginning of an outbreak, six days is potentially catastrophic,” Mrs McArthur said.
“Making this matter worse, there were no facilities open for the man to be tested.
“The Premier argues ad nauseum that we must go hard at the start of an outbreak to stop it seeding.
“Surely, in huge areas of regional Victoria, which have been virus free, the highest priority should have been given to rapid contact tracing?”
Mrs McArthur said it puts into question the whole point of QR codes providing immediate traceability and contactability.
“Everything is electronic – so there is no excuse for a slow response. It should be a click away.
“Isn’t that the whole point?
“Otherwise, what is the incentive for logging into QR codes everywhere if it ultimately fails at the one thing it is supposed to achieve?” Mrs McArthur asked.
She has asked the Minister for Health, Martin Foley, if the Health Department is prioritising contact-tracing in previously COVID-free areas.
“One would think this is critical to knock outbreaks on the head before they spread and cause lockdowns which destroy lives and livelihoods.”
15 September 2021
