An Auckland café owner is the first person to be prosecuted for not displaying an official Covid Tracer app QR code.
Dilip Rupa, owner of Rupa’s Café, received several visits from WorkSafe and police last year, educating him about the need for a QR code to be displayed.
WorkSafe says Rupa was first warned in September 2020. Over the next month, he was sent subsequent letters, along with $600 worth of fines.
He failed to appear in court earlier this month. Police executed an arrest warrant and Rupa appeared earlier this week.
Rupa claimed in videos uploaded online that he did not have the QR code because he had a manual sign in book and another alternative method.
WorkSafe said when businesses refuse to display the QR codes, they’re not only flouting the law but they’re letting New Zealanders down.
Rupa’s Café was closed when 1 NEWS visited today. Rupa has not returned 1 NEWS’ attempts to contact him.
He is next due to appear in court next month.
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