In today's technologically advanced world, we want an app to be available now which will 'automagically' log all the people we have been within two meters of at any time. Other countries have the technology, so we can just 'adopt' that right?

This and many other 'contact tracing-related' questions have been continuously raised at the daily briefings with Jacinda Ardern and Team. The answer to date has remained the same - it's not as 'easy' to stand up an app solution as we would anticipate, however it is in progress.

What is evident, is that any app will require an acceptance to install on phones and use by all New Zealanders. For this reason, it can only ever be considered 'one part' of a comprehensive process to contact trace. The reality is that an app or other 'smart' solution will not be available overnight and in the end, can only supplement a larger picture of an individuals 'contacts'. This begs the question as to what businesses, with no formal process in place now will do 'in the meantime' to register visitors, customers and staff onto their premises until an app is released.

Here are the 5 methods to collect visitor contact information.

Piece of paper at the counter for visitors to self-complete. Pros: only requires a piece of paper and pen. Cons: easy to lose, no standardised information prompts for visitors, needs manual filing process, will need to be electronically transposed at some point in the process, has potential to bottleneck a queue at the counter, does not isolate privacy.

Logbook at the counter for staff to complete on behalf of visitors. Pros: staff can prompt for standardised information, book format is not as susceptible to being lost. Cons: still manual process, will need to be electronically transposed at some point in the process, has potential to bottleneck a queue at the counter, does not isolate privacy.

Visitor book at the counter for visitors to self-complete. Pros: only requires a piece of paper and pen, can be setup to prompt for standardised information, paper in a book format is not as susceptible to being lost. Cons: same as logbook.

Excel sheet or equivalent on computer at the counter for staff to complete on behalf of visitors. Pros: electronic capture up front saves transposing from paper-based methods. Cons: staff need basic training on where and how to enter information, local electronic file susceptible to accidental loss (would need backup process in place), has potential to bottleneck a queue at the counter, does not isolate privacy.

Online Contact Register for visitors to self-complete before coming to the counter and can show evidence of having completed at the counter. Pros: visitors can complete this away from the counter using their phone to scan/link from a poster displayed in business premises, contact information standardised through an online form, information form filed immediately into an electronic register, process completed in less than 30 seconds, privacy isolated, free. Cons: requires visitors to use their mobile device to register and if they do not have one a back up process would still be required, i.e.: staff capture on their behalf at the counter.

As of this post, businesses have a week to prepare to move into level 3 and possible to level 2 after a further 2 week period. The reality is that they will continue to be responsible for collecting contact information for those coming into their premises for the foreseeable future.

The question is, which one of these methods will make a difference? We recommend taking a closer look how the online Contact Register can make a difference to your business during this time