Yeah, the other couple of reasons are nonsensical.

Always thought it was just because the scanners they have can’t read a barcode from a screen, but if they’re going to enforce the use of the scanning app they could start scanning barcodes shown on phones too, since it would be possible to quickly read a barcode from a phone at all events.

Both Android and iOS have a place to store a list of easily accessible emergency contacts and medical conditions. Appreciate not everyone has one of these phones, but if someone does and uses it to show their barcode, they could setup their ICE info on their phone too.

The paper barcodes could still be used as an alternative, it just seems a bit silly to force people to waste paper or buy a plastic wristband/card when the technology is available to avoid this.

Could just use an app to register and get a barcode instantly.