A LOT of Bathurst's senior residents are struggling with the QR code COVID requirements and many are simply resorting to staying at home.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
That's according to Bathurst Community Transport CEO Kath Parnell.
"We young people figure it out, we know how to do it," she said.
"But what we're finding with our older clients is that they either don't know how to download the app or they have old phones that can't, and even sometimes if they do have the app, they struggle to use it and get easily confused.
"The trouble is they have to QR code in anywhere they go now."
Although Bathurst Community Transport has a QR code alternative to monitor who has been in its vehicles at any specific time, not all businesses have the resources to do that.
"We have a system where we can know who's in our vehicle at any time, which is why we're a pre-booked service, but if anyone is catching a taxi, they have to QR code into the taxi," Ms Parnell said.
"A lot of them [seniors] are saying 'I just don't go out because it's too hard now', but they still need groceries."
IN OTHER NEWS AROUND BATHURST:
COVID restrictions have become progressively tighter since the Delta outbreak began in Sydney in June.
Bathurst has not had any new cases, but neighbouring Orange, Blayney and Cabonne council areas only emerged from a snap one-week lockdown this week after it was confirmed a positive case was active in Orange's north and east while infectious in the community.
Five locations across Orange were identified as exposure sites.
"It [the QR code requirement] is imperative and as [Premier] Gladys [Berejiklian] said, the more people that can be contact-traced easily, the better," Ms Parnell said.
"The other thing is, and maybe the clients don't understand, it's the business that's responsible and I think we can be charged if people don't QR code."
Mandatory check-ins were expanded on July 12 and all businesses in NSW were required to ensure anyone visiting or using their services had scanned the QR code or filled out a digital sign-in sheet.
Ms Parnell said we need to all work together and lend a hand if needed.
"I think the message is check in on your family and neighbours ... everyone's doing a good job, but it's just looking out for each other," she said.