The Department of the Interior and Local Government is pushing for wider public use of the StaySafe contact tracing app to improve local government units’ (LGUs) Covid-19 response.
The StaySafe online platform consists of a website and a mobile application. After registration on the platform, users will be prompted to choose what symptoms they show, and will be told whether their cases are mild, moderate or severe.
Interior Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said the system would help manage the Covid-19 situation in the country.
“Using this app is akin to the system used by other countries like Singapore, South Korea and China which have worked positively to improve their contact tracing efforts in their countries,” he said.
The app can also be used by businesses and establishments to generate a unique QR code and use a digital logbook system for an easier way to monitor their customers.
SM Supermalls, Jollibee Foods Corp., Robinsons Malls and Angkas were some companies that have started using the app, Malaya said.
He assured the public that the system’s privacy features had been reviewed by the National Privacy Commission.
“Ang tanging gamit lamang ng StaySafe app ay para mapabilis at maging mas epektibo contract tracing efforts ng ating bansa. Kailanman ay wala pong surveillance at malayang makakagalaw ang sinumang magdownload ng app na ito maliban na lamang kung sila ay nagpositibo sa Covid-19 kung saan sila ay ilalagay sa mga isolation o health facilities para mabigyan ng karampatang atensiyong medikal,” he said. John Ezekiel J. Hirro