ACWA has been asked by washes located in SA and WA if they are required to implement their State’s QR COVID Tracing System.
Dealing with COVID regulations is never easy, and each state expresses and creates their directions in a different manner. The following reflects the detail of our state-by-state research.
Importantly, ALL STATES REQUIRE BUSINESSES TO HAVE A COVID SAFE PLAN. COVID Safe Business Plan Templates for car washes can be these can be downloaded from the Member’s Section of the ACWA Website.
South Australia
In South Australia, it is arguable that car washes need to use the QR Scan System as they don’t quite fit the definition of a Defined Public Activity. In SA, the following businesses are required to use the QR Code System:
- onsite purchase and consumption of food or beverages (whether occurring in an indoor or outdoor area)
- sport (including sports training), fitness or recreation activities
- indoor public meetings
- ceremonies
- private functions
- provision of personal care services
- provision of public entertainment
- provision of recreational transport
- the operation of a nightclub
- the operation of relevant licensed premises
- the operation of a casino or gaming area (within the meaning of the Gaming Machines Act 1992)
- auctions and inspections of premises for the purpose of sale or rental of any property
- driver instruction
- an assembly within the meaning of the Public Assemblies Act 1972
- the provision of health care, residential care, disability support or aged care services.
- A general retail industry premises is a place where retail sale or hire of goods or services for personal, household, or business use occurs and where customers are physically present. This includes supermarkets, department stores, hardware stores, and general retail.
For clarity, car washing was not considered a retail sales business during past COVID restrictions conditions and therefore ACWA does not believe it falls into this category now. Details can be found here:
As mentioned above, our assessment above is based on the consideration that car washing was not considered a retail sales business under previous COVID restrictions conditions.
However, a respected South Australian ACWA Member has pointed out that the SA Government’s COVID Safe Plan (which can be located here https://www.covid-19.sa.gov.au/business-and-work/create-a-covid-safe-plan ) only took 5 minutes to complete and, in doing so, gave peace of mind that all bases were covered.
Other SA car wash operators may wish to take the same approach.
Western Australia
In Western Australia, particular businesses are required to maintain contact registers for WA Health Department COVID-19 contact tracing, if needed. Contact registration is encouraged but not mandatory for other businesses and gatherings.
Businesses required to use the QR Code System are as follows:
- food and licensed venues (restaurants, cafés, bars, pubs, taverns, nightclubs)
- gyms, indoor sporting centres, wellness centres, health clubs and fitness centres
- indoor play centres
- saunas and bathhouses
- swimming pool, both indoors and outdoors
- places of worship, and funeral parlours
- beauty and personal care services (hairdressers, barbers, nail salons, tattoo parlours, spa and massage parlours)
- galleries and museums
- cinemas, theatres and other entertainment venues (casino, gaming or gambling venues)
- auction houses and real estate inspections
- community facilities, libraries and halls
- zoos and amusement parks
- function centres
- hotels, motels, campgrounds or other accommodation facilities that ordinarily have check-in arrangements
- boarding schools or residential colleges (not including residents)
- adult entertainment premises (strip clubs, brothels and sex on premises venues)
Further information can be found here:https://www.wa.gov.au/government/publications/covid-19-coronavirus-contact-registers-businesses-and-venues-frequently-asked-questions
Victoria
In Victoria, the use of the QR Code System is optional however there is a record-keeping requirement applies to all persons attending a facility or venue for longer than 15 minutes, which may include staff, customers, maintenance and delivery workers.
This should be part of your business’s COVID Safe Plan.
New South Wales
In NSW, messaging is complicated and unclear however, we don’t believe car washing appears to be a business that is required to mandatorily collect customer data or use that State’s QR Code System. Once again, it is essential to note that companies should be operating with a COVID Safe Plan.
NSW information can be found here. https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/covid-safe we hope you have better luck interpreting and finding the details than ACWA did!
Queensland
In Queensland, only “restricted businesses” are required to collect contact tracing details. Car washing is not a restricted business.
Information is available here. https://www.health.qld.gov.au/system-governance/legislation/cho-public-health-directions-under-expanded-public-health-act-powers/business-activity-undertaking-direction
Tasmania
Use of the app is not mandatory, and car washing is not a business listed as requiring the collection of customer data.
A list of businesses required to collect data can be found here https://coronavirus.tas.gov.au/business-and-employees/business-restrictions
Canberra
Use of the app is not mandatory, and car washing is not a business listed as requiring the collection of customer data.
A list of businesses required to collect data can be found here https://www.legislation.act.gov.au/View/ni/2020-790/current/PDF/2020-790.PDF
Northern Territory
Use of the app is not mandatory, and car washing is not a business listed as requiring the collection of customer data.
A list of businesses required to collect data can be found here https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0012/951879/cho-directions-no56-safety-measures-places-businesses-activities-services-premises.pdf
