SafeWork NSW will be targeting supermarkets and other retailers within Greater Sydney to ensure they are complying with public health orders, as the state continues to struggle with the spread of Covid-19.

Penalties of up to $5,000 can apply to businesses that show breaches of health orders, while repeat offenses can lead to mandated closure of a premises.

Inspectors will be focusing on outlets within major shopping centres, while also checking that business that shouldn’t be open are closed.

“While the vast majority of businesses are making every effort to ensure they do the right thing, it’s now more important than ever for all retailers to be COVID smart and COVID safe,” SafeWork NSW director of health and safety Dimitri Argeres said.

“The COVID-Safe requirements are in place for an important reason, and all businesses need to make sure they are fully compliant.”

And, following the difficulties tracing a man who took the virus with him to Byron Bay and refused to use QR Codes along the way, putting many others at risk, SafeWork has restated the critical importance of ensuring customers use the QR Code check-in system.

“It is critically important businesses have the correct check-in measures for customers and that patrons are doing the right thing and checking in, otherwise severe penalties apply [to businesses],” Argeres said.

“The need for customers to check in when entering retail stores cannot be overstated, as it allows for effective contact tracing.”