Check In Qld app mandated for taxis, limousines and ride share operators

The Queensland Government’s Check In Qld app will be compulsory for taxis, limousines and rideshare operators across Queensland to display from Monday week, 30 August to assist with contact tracing efforts. 

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the recent case of a COVID positive taxi driver in Cairns highlighted just why a mandate was so necessary.

“It is vital everyone does their bit to help protect our Queensland lifestyle,” the Premier said.

“The first case in NSW’s spiralling outbreak was a Bondi limousine driver who transported flight crews.

“Initially contained to Sydney’s eastern suburbs it quickly spread into the city and the regions beyond.

“Extending the reach of the Check In Qld app to taxis, limousines and ride share is purely and simply about safety.

“We expect cases could pop up from time to time and our job is to get onto them as quickly as possible.

“It is a very tough situation at the moment and everything we are doing is to keep Queenslanders safe.”

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Yvette D’Ath said time is of the essence when a positive COVID case is identified in the community,.

“Anything we can do to help our team of contract tracers quickly identify where positive cases have been and who they’ve come into contact with helps us keep community transmission to a minimum,” Ms D’Ath said.

“This additional, precautionary, small step could well help prevent the next COVID outbreak in Queensland.”

There are nearly 20,000 limousine, taxi and booked hire vehicles working in Queensland.

Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey said the taxi, limousine and rideshare industries were supportive of the Check In Qld app.

“Taxi, limousine and rideshare drivers and operators are already taking steps to protect Queenslanders to minimise the spread of COVID-19,” Mr Bailey said.

“Introducing compulsory QR codes is a sensible move to further protect drivers providing an important service for the community, and their customers.

“We thank the industry for their understanding and cooperation as we further enhance Queensland’s contact tracing capability.”

Minister for Digital Economy Leeanne Enoch said the Check In Qld app was extremely popular with Queensland businesses and patrons, with more than 304 million check-ins at almost 185,000 businesses and locations across the State. 

“Queenslanders understand how important contact tracing is in our ongoing fight against COVID-19, which we can see from their enthusiastic uptake and use of the app when visiting everywhere from restaurants, pubs and cafes to hairdressers, libraries and gyms throughout the state,” Ms Enoch said.

“Taxi, limousine and rideshare drivers can complete their registration in a few simple steps from the Check In Qld app webpage.”

Data collected via the free and contactless Check In Qld is stored securely for 56 days and is only accessed for contact tracing purposes. 

For more information and to register for Check In Qld, visit https://www.covid19.qld.gov.au/check-in-qld

For customers needing to download the Check In Qld app, visit either the Google Play or Apple App store. 

Media contact:    Toby Walker - 0439 347 875