ACT Health’s Check in CBR app has been switched off following almost two years of use supporting businesses and the community for contact tracing and helping to minimise the spread of COVID-19.

The app was launched in September 2020 and was subsequently adopted by Queensland, the Northern Territory and Tasmania.

It later saw upgrades to hold vaccine certificates and a direct link to the online form to record positive RAT results, as well as a new health screening tool for voluntary use by high-risk facilities.

The ACT’s chief health officer removed the mandatory requirement to check in using the app in May this year in recognition that it was no longer required for contact tracing.

Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith said now was an appropriate time to close the app.

“Canberrans really embraced the Check in CBR app and have used it to keep track of their movements, hold their vaccination certificate and link to the form for reporting positive rapid antigen test results,” Ms Stephen-Smith said.

“At the time, many people said they wanted to continue using the app and it was also adjusted to enable high-risk settings like hospitals and aged care facilities to use it as a screening tool.

“However, as the ACT continues to move towards managing COVID-19 in a manner that is more consistent with other infectious diseases, the app is no longer required and will be switched off.”

The app was downloaded more than 1.25 million times and 117 million check-ins were recorded across more than 29,000 different locations, she said.

While over 251,000 vaccination certificates have been shared through the app, this functionality will no longer be available. Certificates are available from Medicare through MyGov and vaccine histories through My Health Record.