That usage rate dropped still further at bars (2%) and restaurants (3%).
University of Otago academics have tracked use of the app, a vital tool for tracking and tracing of potential contacts of Covid-19 cases, for many months.
Initial research published in the New Zealand Medical Journal in March found a median rate of scanning of just 10%, and that at 12 venues, eight of which were bars, no-one scanned in at all during the survey period.
Final-year medical students carried out a similar survey again, between July 18 and August 1.
This time researchers spent 45 minutes at 64 locations around Dunedin, including cafes, bars, restaurants, supermarkets, shops, gyms, pools and churches, and recorded a mean percentage rate of use of the Covid-19 app by just 9% of people.
Supermarket shoppers and cafe patrons had the best scanning rates, at 14% and 11% respectively.
Supermarkets were also audited for use of sign-in sheets, a tool which was used by just 0.2% of shoppers.
Their supervisor, Centre for International Health co-director Prof Philip Hill, said the low rate of scanning showed that the Government decision to make keeping personal records of movements mandatory was correct.
‘‘We need to all make QR scanning part of normal life during the pandemic,’’ he said.
‘‘Along with making sure we get tested as soon as we get any cold or flu-like symptoms, these will give us a great chance of stamping out future outbreaks without requiring prolonged lockdowns.’’
Nationally during the survey period, daily scanning rates ranged between 413,000 and 942,000.
On Tuesday, the day before Level 4 came in to force across most of the country, just over 1million scans were made.
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Scary reading. Imagine if there had been a cluster in Dunedin and a group of covid infected people had been moving around the city for a few days. We’d still be in the depths of level 4 with god knows how many cases clogging up the health system.
Let’s hope a lesson has been learned. Tracking your movements is the way of the future for us all.
If you think the government will stop wanting to track us "when the pandemic is over" (that in itself is a joke, they won't let it be over)
Then I have a bridge to sell you
If you have the technology to make a comment on a forum like this, or even if you only have an old fashioned cell phone, then the govt don’t need you to scan covid tracking thingies. They know where you are and what your doing/saying all the time. You can thank John Key for that.
This low percentage of people scanning may reflect the fact that the people are over being told what to do.
I don’t buy that.
We’re told what to do all the time. What speed to drive, drive on the left, don’t litter, don’t hit people, even the ones who deserve it, don’t steal stuff, don’t walk naked down the street, send your kids to school or educate them at home, pay taxes, obey the licensing laws. The list goes on and on.
Part of living in a “civilised” community is that we all agree to obey an agreed set of rules. Society can deal with a few rebels who want to do their own thing but if large numbers decide to break just one rule all at the same time then anarchy is likely to follow.
Covid 19 scanning is not a major imposition on individuals, no more inconvenient than putting a seatbelt on when you get in a car.
No, I don’t buy it.
Read socially irresponsible.
Read not obligated to take the vaccine, read INFORMED CONSENT.
This makes me very proud of Dunedin