Check In CBR app to be mandatory for all retail, public transport from July 15

The ACT's peak business body has welcomed the changes but flagged it could come at an extra cost, particularly to small businesses.

Under the new rules, all retail settings and public transport including rideshare services must use the app.

The time requirement to check-in will also be removed, meaning no matter how long you spend at a venue you must use the app - including if you are only getting takeaway.

ACT Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said that was to tackle the more transmissible Delta variant of COVID-19 which has been at the centre of outbreaks interstate.

"People will be expected and required to check in where it is mandatory, no matter how short a time you're going to be in that business or venue," she said.

"That again, is a response to what we are seeing in the change in the way the virus is transmitting from person to person with these new variants of concern.

"We are seeing that much more fleeting transmission, where people might come into contact with [someone] for a much shorter period of time and be at risk of having that virus transmitted to them."

The app has been mandatory for businesses and events subjected to COVID-19 restrictions, including restaurants and cafes, since March 6.

That requirement will be extended to all retail settings including supermarkets, department stores, petrol stations, takeaway services, public transport and ride share services, from July 15.

Ms Stephen-Smith said for many retailers, including supermarkets, it would likely mean a process would need to be implemented to monitor customers.

"[The QR code signs] need to be right at the front, they need to be prominent," she said.

Business Chamber chief executive Graham Catt welcomed the broader mandate but said the added pressure on businesses to patrol it could bring additional costs.

"This may create some compliance challenges for some businesses and getting themselves up to speed," he said.

"This is also how we're going to prevent, hopefully in the long-term, the sort of snap lockdowns and border closures ... that are really playing havoc with businesses around the country."

Unlike most hospitality venues, patrons at retail stores can walk in and out without talking to a staff member.

"That may be problematic, it may mean that [retailers] need to have a staff member actually, actively as part of their job, ensuring compliance," he said.

Mr Catt said that could come at a cost to businesses and wanted the government to work with them to mitigate any burden.

He also called for signage stores could use pointing out the public health direction to customers, and a script for staff should someone push back against the rules.

The app was also only previously required to be used for patrons planning to spend more than 15 minutes at a business.

That will be removed from 11.59pm Thursday, meaning regardless of how long you are there residents must check in.

"This is a habit we've all become used to and this just provides real certainty around when it is required, which is always and everywhere," Ms Stephen-Smith said.

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"Those settings that aren't currently required to have the Check In CBR app, and be using it, you have until noon of July 15 to implement the new requirements."

To date, 10,668 venues have registered with the Check In CBR app and there have been 816,986 downloads since it was launched in September.

"Widespread use of contact tracing apps has been absolutely essential to health protection services in other jurisdictions when they are undertaking their contact tracing, and making sure that they are getting on top of these new cases and clusters," Ms Stephen-Smith said.

"Over the next two weeks, the ACT government will be providing support and information to help businesses and the community to adapt to this change to the wider range of settings that are requiring check in."

The app can be downloaded on Android and Apple devices and sends data directly to ACT Health so it can be used for contact tracing if there is a positive COVID-19 case in the ACT.

The data is destroyed after 28 days.

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