With new, more contagious strains of Covid-19 in New Zealand being detected in managed isolation, the board was increasingly concerned the public was not using the QR codes. “Cases of the new strains of Covid-19 in the community could be difficult to control, so we need to try to get as many people as possible to scan QR codes, to enable us to trace and isolate close contacts as quickly as possible should this happen,” the letter says. “Ultimately, if we are able to trace and isolate it could stop another lockdown which means your business can stay open.” Ben Fokkens, owner of the Shoe Clinic in the Invercargill CBD and chair of the Neighbouring Retail Group, said his customers aged under 50 were not generally scanning the QR code in his shop.