KUCHING, May 14: Members of the public are encouraged to download an app called COVIDTrace to their smartphones.
Minister for Local Government and Housing Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian in his social media posting said COVIDTrace was an app that enables the identification of people who have been in close contact with an infected Covid-19 patient, especially those in public that the user does not know.
He explained the app will help health officers in their fight against Covid-19 in Sarawak.
“COVIDTrace is an app that is able to do digital contact tracing via the user’s mobile phone Bluetooth technology.
“COVIDTrace is highly secure with encryption and data stored locally.
“The data can only be accessed via a valid personal identification number (PIN) verification with a person’s consent and by an authorized health officer.
“Thanks to Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA) and Sarawak Information Systems Sdn Bhd (SAINS) for working together to fight Covid-19 in Sarawak.
“We need as many Sarawakian to download this apps onto your mobile phone as possible to make it work.
“Please help to do your part,” Dr Sim said.
Meanwhile, COVIDTrace is an initiative by the Sarawak government to stop the spread of Covid-19 in Sarawak.
According to information of the app, if a COVIDTrace user is near another COVIDTrace user, the former’s Bluetooth signal will detect the latter.
Proximity data is encrypted and stored only on the user’s mobile phone.
For contact tracing, the app will seek the user’s consent to upload the data.—DayakDaily
