What is COVID SAfe Check-In?

COVID SAfe Check-In is a feature on the free mySAGOV app.

Businesses with a COVID Safe Plan will receive an email that includes a poster with a unique QR code. This should be printed off and displayed in a prominent location at all entrances. The poster can also be presented digitally such as on a tablet.

People can scan the QR code using their smart phone through the mySAGOV app.

Which businesses are required to use COVID SAfe Check-In?

The only places required to use COVID SAfe Check-In are at hospitals, disability care facilities, and aged care facilities.

All other places are not required to use COVID SAfe Check-In.

Do staff members need to check in?

Staff who work in hospitals, disability care facilities, or aged care facilities need to check in when arriving at work.

If a family attends a hospital, disability care facility or aged care facility, can just one member of the family check in or are all family members required to check in?

Every person attending is required to check in. The COVID SAfe Check-In feature allows users to check-in up to 10 other people when they arrive at a venue or business, so one person can check-in all family members.

Circumstances in which it might not be possible for the person entering a place to provide their contact details include when a person is unable to communicate that information to the venue in written or verbal form. A companion of the person entering can check-in for that person, or a staff member may record or provide the relevant contact details on behalf of the person entering. Parents or guardians/ caregivers can either use the COVID SAfe Check-In or the paper record to check in for their children.

Do customers or staff need to scan the QR code to check out when they are leaving?

No, it is just a check in feature at this stage.

How do businesses and activities get a COVID Safe Plan?

Information is available on how to Create a COVID Safe Plan.

How do I get my QR code?

Businesses/places/activities with a COVID Safe Plan will already have received a poster with a unique QR code. Businesses/places/activities that complete a new COVID Safe Plan will be provided a unique QR code.

Where do I display my QR code?

The QR code poster should be printed off and displayed in prominent locations at all entrances, where they can be easily accessed by visitors and monitored by staff. You are encouraged to display multiple versions of the poster. QR code posters should be displayed at both shoulder and waist height for accessibility.

The poster can also be presented digitally such as on a tablet.

Can I use an alternative QR code system?

No. The Activities Direction requires that an approved contact tracing system is used. The use of a privately sourced alternative electronic platform or system for capturing contact details will not satisfy the requirements of the Direction.

What do I do if a person refuses to check in?

There is a dual responsibility, both on the place and the person, to use the COVID SAfe Check-In.

If a person chooses not to provide their details, the place has the right to refuse entry. Please be mindful of avoiding confrontations that become dangerous to staff members or customers. If a situation does escalate, contact on-site security (if available) or SA Police by phoning 131 444 for non-urgent police assistance or in an emergency always call 000.

For businesses and activities that are required to have COVID Marshals, COVID Marshals should take all reasonable steps to ensure customers comply with COVID SAfe Check-In.

How is the information protected?

The mySAGOV app securely collects limited personal information as people check in. The data is securely stored in a government secured and encrypted database. The data is not accessible for marketing or promotion purposes so your customers won’t receive ‘spam’.

Details will only be released to SA Health for official contact tracing purposes or for managing the COVID-19 pandemic. Details will be retained for 28 days and then destroyed within the 7 days following this. If your data is required to be used, it is managed as a confidential health record and protected under the Health Care Act 2008.

The arrangements for data security, management and destruction are high quality and independently verified. It is illegal for the data to be misused for purposes other than official contact tracing or managing the COVID-19 pandemic.

What if a person doesn’t have a smart phone?

If a person does not have a smart phone they are still required to provide their relevant contact details on a paper record, taking care to make sure their handwriting can be read. Paper check-in templates are available to download and print as a back-up for people who don’t have a smart phone. The templates are available under Media and resources.

What if a person is having technical difficulties and cannot use the app or is unable to download it?

A person is still required to provide their relevant contact details on a paper record. Paper check-in templates are available as a back-up for people who don’t have a smart phone or in case of other technical difficulties. The templates are available under Media and resources.

What if there is no internet connection at the place?

Customers are still required to provide their relevant contact details on a paper record. Paper check-in templates are available as a back-up for people who don’t have a smart phone or in case of other technical difficulties. The templates are available under Media and resources.

How long do I need to keep contact register records for and how do I store and dispose of them?

Contact register records must be kept for 28 days and disposed of securely within the 7 days following this.

The records must be kept in a way that reduces the risk of them being copied, photographed, taken or used by another person (other than an authorised officer).

These records should be placed where they can be supervised by a staff member as well as regularly removed and replaced with a new contact tracing record sheet.

You could also provide customers with individual check-in sheets that people can fill in and put into a secure box. Individual check-in sheet templates are available under Media and resources.

At the end of each day, records from that day should be stored in a safe location for 28 days after which they can be disposed of securely, including shredding or ripping into small pieces before disposing. Records may be stored electronically for security of information, however, must be disposed of securely within 7 days following the initial 28 days.How will compliance be checked?

Contact tracing records must be produced for inspection at the request of an authorised officer.

Are there penalties for places who don’t comply?

SA Police and SA Health compliance officers will defer to education in the first instance, however, relevant places are expected to know their responsibilities for complying with COVID SAfe Check-In by now and actively remind patrons to use it. Blatant breaches may result in a fine of up to $5060 for a business or $1060 for an individual.

Can interstate travellers use the mySAGOV app?

Yes, the free mySAGOV app can be downloaded and used by anyone. Interstate travellers will need to download the mySAGOV app if they wish to attend a place with COVID SAfe Check-In in South Australia. However, paper check-in templates are available as a back-up for people who don’t have a smart phone or in case of other technical difficulties. The templates are available under Media and resources.

How can I add my COVID-19 digital certificate to the mySAGOV app?

If you're fully vaccinated against COVID-19, you can add your COVID-19 digital certificate to the mySAGOV app. Once integrated, each time you use the COVID-SAfe Check-In function at a location with mandated vaccination requirements, the check-in screen will display your name and confirmation you have a valid certificate. Find more information on integrating your COVID-19 digital certificate.

We have a COVID Safe Plan and have not received a QR code. Who can I contact for help?

If you had a COVID-Safe Plan and have not received an updated COVID Safe Plan with a QR code you can email forms@sa.gov.au with details of your business and COVID Safe Plan.

How can I access technical support?

If you’re experiencing issues with the mySAGOV app, or require further information, contact Service SA on 1300 450 422 (Monday to Friday) during business hours.