KUCHING: Sarawakians have been urged to download the COVIDTrace mobile application for tracing purposes.
Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian said the app would help to track and identify those who had been in close contact with Covid-19 positive individuals.
“Now, with the opening up of more business sectors during the conditional movement control order (CMCO) period, we do not know who is around us.
“And if someone near us tested positive, from there the health authority will be able to access the data on the app and immediately inform you to come forward to check,” he told the press at the old State Legislative Assembly (DUN) building here yesterday.
Dr Sim said the app was safe as only movement of the people would be accessed by the health authorities whenever someone tested positive and to trace those around them faster.
“If you ask me who have I visited during the last 14 days, I will not remember… So, for instance, you go to a supermarket and somebody is positive, then this app will automatically detect and get the phone number of those that are three metres near you,” he said, adding that information would be stored for 21 days.
Developed by Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA) and Sarawak Information System Sdn Bhd (Sains), Dr Sim said the app was part of the state government’s 3T strategy — tracing, testing and treatment — for Covid-19.
“On top of that, the Sarawak government is also developing version two of the COVIDTrace app. This version will provide QR code for shops, and whenever customers visit those shops they just have to scan the code.
“This is to ease the process of collecting data without having people to write their name and contact details on paper anymore,” he said. The COVIDTrace app can be downloaded on Google Play Store and on the Apple Store App.
