The Pasay City government launched on Monday a contact tracing online application for its employees as part of its intensified campaign against the coronavirus disease.
The “One Balikatan Contact Tracing” app, according to Mayor Imelda Rubiano, is the latest addition to the city’s comprehensive contact tracing approach to further prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the city.
The app has an advanced digital contact tracing technology with case investigation, COVID-19 testing result, clinical information, and quarantine management all-in-one features.
“This is another step that we are undertaking as part of our overall COVID-19 response, particularly in the aspect of contact tracing, in this case, among our employees that are physically working here in City Hall as well as in our attached offices and in the field,” said Mayor Rubiano.
The city government has around 4,000 employees, majority of them still physically come to work on a regular basis, while the rest are on a work-from-home arrangement.
Rubiano announced earlier they were also developing Pasay QR Code Covid-19 Tracer App for commercial establishments in the city, which is an internet-based tracing app for a contactless transaction with a one-time registration process for people visiting said establishments.
Through the QR code system, those using the app and who have filled out the contact tracing form the first time will not be required to fill out another form when they enter an establishment in succeeding instances.
Rubiano said they would come up with an ordinance to require all residents and commercial establishments to use the Pasay QR Code Covid-19 Tracer App.
All these measures, the she said, would contribute to the city’s contact tracing efforts, a vital part in the COVID-19 response which enables the local government unit to identify the people that may have physically interacted with individuals who would later be found positive for the virus. Through this, a set of intervention efforts for the said contacts may be undertaken to prevent the further spread of the virus.
For the contact tracing app for employees, a memorandum has been issued by City Administrator Dennis Bernard Acorda, which stated:
“Please be informed that the City Government will launch the One Balikatan Contact Tracing app on Monday, September 14, 2020 at the Pasay City Hall. In this regard posters shall be posted in all offices within the City Hall which will contain the Quick Response (QR) Code for easy access to the app.
“Employees should log-in and -out every time they report to the office by scanning the QR code as they enter and leave the premises. Safety Officers shall monitor and ensure that this is strictly followed by all.”