Contact registers mandatory in WA

From 5 December most businesses and venues in WA will have mandatory contact registers in the event of a Covid-19 outbreak.

The McGowan government also released a new app SafeWA which will provide businesses with a digital QR coded contact register system.

Gyms, restaurants, cinemas and beauticians are some of the businesses that will have to have a contact register in place by December. Though the app isn’t mandatory alternative systems can be in place including a paper register.

The details required for the contact register will include the date, arrival time, names and telephone numbers.

With records only being kept for 28 days and not used for any other purpose.

Fines of up to $50,000 for individuals and $250,000 for businesses who don’t comply.

“The maintenance of contact registers is a whole-of-community effort and is so vital in the event of an outbreak, where contact tracing is required,” said Health Minister Roger Cook.

Records are not required to be collected for people collecting takeaway or children under 16 years.

SafeWA can be downloaded from Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

More information can be found at https://www.wa.gov.au/SafeWA

Businesses or venues required to keep a contact register include:

  • food and licenced venues (restaurants, cafés, bars, pubs, taverns, nightclubs);
  • gyms, indoor sporting centres and pools;
  • places of worship and funeral parlours;
  • beauty and personal care services including hairdressers and barbers;
  • galleries and museums;
  • cinemas, theatres and other entertainment venues;
  • auction houses and real estate inspections;
  • community facilities, libraries and halls;
  • zoos and amusement parks;
  • function centres; and
  • accommodation facilities that already have check-in arrangements in place (i.e. hostels, hotels, large campgrounds).