Government departments have failed to answer how Riverina residents can access information about coronavirus exposure sites if they do not have the check-in app, despite the region continuing to grapple with an outbreak.
While close contacts of cases are being contacted directly by NSW Health, there has been a shift away from publicly reporting exposure sites. Instead, residents will receive push notifications from the Service NSW app if they have been at the same venue as a positive case and need to monitor for symptoms. However, not all have access to a phone or the app.
Wodonga's Martin Butcher, the executive officer at the Riverina Disability Advocacy Service, said the new system only caters to the tech-savvy and does not consider those with disabilities who do not have access to the app.
"Some people haven't been able to work out how to do it and if you don't check it routinely, you could have been to an exposure site," he said. "The more technology we use, the harder it is for people that are not tech-savvy, and they are left in the dark. They do still need to let people know if they are a casual contact."
On Thursday Kerry Chant said the department was moving to only give information online about venues where known transmission has occurred.
"The more you tell people about things and bombard them with lists, they get fatigued and don't look at the list," she said.
Albury councillor David Thurley is concerned older citizens won't be notified in a timely manner, exacerbating the current outbreak.
"I'm not concerned for myself because I'm computer literate and have a smart phone, but I do understand quite a lot of people in the community don't have the technology and use manual sign-ins," he said.
"If they're not going to get the urgent alerts I get, it's going to constantly keep this thing going and going."
NSW Health, Service NSW, Minister for Digital and Customer Service Victor Dominello, and NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard failed to respond to questions about the accessibility to COVID information.
NSW Health said it has consistently urged the community to check the NSW website regularly.
Annie Lewis
My passion for journalism stems from a sincere desire to tell great stories that matter. So, feel free to get in touch to talk about what's happening in our community. Whether there's an issue that needs highlighting or a triumph worth sharing, I want to hear about it. Email me at a.lewis@dailyadvertiser.com.au
My passion for journalism stems from a sincere desire to tell great stories that matter. So, feel free to get in touch to talk about what's happening in our community. Whether there's an issue that needs highlighting or a triumph worth sharing, I want to hear about it. Email me at a.lewis@dailyadvertiser.com.au
Digital journalists with The Border Mail.
Digital journalists with The Border Mail.
