In light of the emerging cases of COVID-19, the City Government of Valenzuela takes the lead in using contactless forms — maximizing the use of technology by developing software that could help in contact tracing and in the prevention of further transmission of COVID-19.
Aside from the usual thermal scanning, a person will not be welcomed by pen and paper anymore when entering enclosed indoor establishments in Valenzuela City, as the use of QR or Quick Response codes will now be strictly implemented starting November 16, 2020.
The Valenzuela Tracing (ValTrace) Application, supported by City Ordinance No. 783, Series of 2020, now enables Valenzuela and non-Valenzuela residents to register and download their own QR codes starting September 12, and have it presented upon entering enclosed indoor establishments in Valenzuela City.
It officially rolls out on November 16, when a “No QR code, No Entry” policy will be mandated.
The traditional practice of manual logging of customers, visitors, and employees in contact tracing forms prior to entering an establishment is highly discouraged by the local government, as it can cause direct contact to possible carriers of the pandemic virus.
With ValTrace, the City Government established an automated contact tracing system through the use of QR codes to provide safe, timely, and more complete contact identification and follow-up compared with the traditional system.
Known for tapping the capabilities of the private sector into local governance, the City Government collaborated with Appcase Inc. to develop the ValTrace Application.
In essence, the system will log basic information and will provide a unique QR code for each individual and establishment.
Both establishments and individuals are required to register in the ValTrace application by signing up at http://valtrace.appcase.net as Citizen (for the individual) and as Merchant (for establishment).
After registration, individuals will be provided with a unique ValTrace generated QR code which they can store on their phone or print for a physical copy.
On the other hand, establishments need to install the ValTrace QR scanner app to be given access to a software which will allow them to scan the QR code of registrants prior to entry in the establishments.
The entire process of registration and the use of the ValTrace App is also free of charge.
When the QR code is scanned by a registered establishment, an individual’s personal information will be transmitted to the Valenzuela Central Contact Tracing System at the Mega Contact Tracing Center for easy tracing of individuals.
All customers, visitors, and employees of the public and private establishments must not be allowed entry unless they present their own ValTrace generated unique personal QR Code.
The QR codes shall not replace the use of the Quarantine Pass as it is still in effect in Valenzuela City when entering establishments for purposes of essential travel. There will only be one QR code per person.
Individuals who will fail to comply with the ordinance will be charged by administrative penalty of P1,000 on the First Offense, P3,000 for the Second Offense, and P5,000 for the Third Offense and/or imprisonment of not more than 30 days subject to the discretion of the court.
Establishments who also fail to comply will be charged with P5,000 and suspension of franchise or business permit until the violation has been rectified on the First Offense; P10,000, 24 hours of community service, and suspension of franchise or business permit until the violation has been rectified for the Second Offense; and P15,000 and revocation of franchise or business permit for the Third Offense.
The City Government will handle all information gathered from the data subjects with the highest degree of confidentiality and will securely dispose of after 30 days from the time it was collected.