The number of people tagging in has increased dramatically after the re-emergence of Covid-19 in New Zealand, says the Cook Islands Chamber of Commerce.

In a statement this week, the Chamber of Commerce said a record 42,884 digital CookSafe tag-ins were recorded from August 16 to 22, an increase of more than 34,000 tag-ins than the week before.

The Chamber of Commerce said that figure did not include hundreds of manual sign-ins which have yet to be collated.  The previous highest number of tag-ins was 15,779 recorded from May 17 to 23 when two-way quarantine-free travel was re-established with New Zealand and the vaccination rollout began.

Following the Covid-19 community outbreak of Delta variant cases which reached 347 last night, many local establishments are enforcing the use of the CookSafe contact tracing app. Manager of Bond Liquor Store, Patricia Barton said they’ve made tagging in compulsory.

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“Nobody gets the chance to come in without scanning in,” Barton said.

“If people don’t have their card, we provide them with a manual system. It’s a small price to pay to stay open and do our bit.”

Barton said tourists were the hardest to get to scan in. She said tourists told the business they were not aware of CookSafe.

“But all our local people are brilliant, even the papas,” she said.

Working at the checkout at a convenience store in Avarua, Baia Tutu says the store has had hand sanitiser at the entry/exit door since the pandemic began but have only recently started taking manual sign-ins.

Usage of CookSafe, the Covid-19 contact tracing system in place in the Cook Islands.

Baia Tutu said they started doing the tag-ins off the back of the recent New Zealand cases.

The store doesn’t have a CookSafe scanner but Tutu said it would be good if they did.

She said they have not made signing in compulsory “but most people are signing in anyway”.

CookSafe contact tracing supervisor, Peka Fisher thanked organisations that made a point of actively encouraging their customers to tag in.

Fisher said this included the businesses that made tagging in a compulsory practice.

“The effort made by some of our local businesses to ensure as many people as possible tag in with their CookSafe cards or via our manual tag in sheets is great to see and makes a huge difference to the work our CookSafe team does in providing Te Marae Ora with as much information as possible,” said Fisher.

“The more people who are actively using their CookSafe cards, as well as the CookSafe+ app, the easier it will be for Te Marae Ora to quickly and securely contact trace should the need arise.”

Fisher said while she was pleased with the latest CookSafe figures, these numbers should be this high regardless of what happened in New Zealand.

“Judging by these latest figures, we can see that when people are motivated, the adjustment to tag in before entering a public place or event is not hard.

Apii Papaaroa Adventist students Teanahera Walton (left) and Edna Marsters at the school office where a CookSafe tagging scanner is located. 21082401.

“While we understand that it is indeed an adjustment, it’s one that by now we should all understand is necessary considering the global pandemic.

“We need to work together to ensure we are all doing our part, especially where contact tracing is concerned, to ensure we are giving Te Marae Ora the best chance of success when containing the spread of Covid-19.”

CookSafe QR cards are available from the Chamber of Commerce office on Tutakimoa Road in Avarua, Prime Foods, the Vodafone main office, CITC Supermarket, Oasis or the Cook Islands Tourism office.