More than 2,200 Victorian businesses have been targeted for COVIDSafe compliance checks in May and one-third of those failed to have the correct safety measures.
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Seven businesses received fines between $1,652 and $9,913 with non-compliant measures included not having COVID-19 safety signage up, density quotients not being adhered to, customer tables too close together or QR code check-in systems not in place.
Of those businesses found to be non-complying to the COVIDSafe measures, the majority were hospitality venues.
Australian Hotels Association Victoria executive board member and Hotel Shamrock Bendigo owner Ray Sharawara said compliance was a high priority for his venue, but was difficult to execute.
"We will do everything in our power to make sure that people sign in but the problem we have is policing it when you have a venue that has six different entrances," he said.
"The only way to really do it is to close all your entrances off and force people through one area and supervise that entry and have a staff member or we put someone on every door and that is impossible.
"I understand why they want it and why it is important for people to sign in so they can contact trace but I don't think the enforcement should be on us and I think it should be on the individual."
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More than 115,000 Victorian organisations and businesses have signed up for the free Victorian Government QR Code Service across 170,000 different locations with an average of 615,000 check-ins a day.
In addition to fines since May 1, over 200 enforcement notices have been issued including 59 written warnings, eight verbal warnings and 136 improvement notices issued for COVID non-compliance.
Mr Sharawara said using QR codes wasn't difficult, but the reliability should be shifted to individuals instead of businesses.
"It is not hard to sign in, it just takes seconds," he said. "We are finding that people have not downloaded the app or anything like that. Individuals need to get it onto their phone, and if you don't have a phone capable of doing it, you can also get your friend to sign you in.
"I am worried potential fines may be placed on the business and it's not fair at all to put it back on us. It should be put back onto the individual because we do everything in our power we can to be compliant.
"If they found 20 people haven't signed in; that's a lot of money. A little business could suffer badly and could leave to the business closing down."
Businesses repeatedly breaking the rules can be issued with an additional fine of $9,913 or a prohibition notice shutting them down.
Acting minister for police and emergency services Danny Pearson said all businesses had a responsibility to provide a COVIDSafe environment for their workers and customers.
"We'll be checking up on businesses to make sure they know their obligations and are doing the right thing," he said.
"If a business is not following the rules, then they can expect a visit from our Authorised Officers and enforcement action including on-the-spot fines or temporary closures.
"Every workplace must be making every effort to have a government approved QR Code system working, COVID-19 safety signage up and stick to their density limits - to help us all stay safe and stay open."
COVID-19 safety breaches can be reported to the coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398, WorkSafe's advisory line on 1800 136 089 or the Police Assistance Line on 131 444.
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