Flag carrier Philippine Airlines on Saturday started requiring its clients to register with a contact tracing application to support the government’s campaign to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease.
“All passengers flying to and from any airport in the Philippines must download and register through Traze Contact Tracing, a unified and automated contact tracing app, before proceeding to the airport,” the PAL management stated in its reminder to air travelers.
Using the app will help health authorities to easily contact and notify travelers who may have had contact with a COVID-19 patient. These travelers are advised to self-isolate immediately and take other health and sanitation precautionary measures.
Travelers who do not have mobile phones or any other mobile gadgets may go to the Malasakit Helpdesk at the airport for registration assistance to get a unique QR code. They may also ask a family member to register them with the app.
Traze help desks are also available at the terminal entrance and arrival areas of international airport terminals in the Philippines.
Passengers traveling to the Philippines from overseas countries are advised to download the app before they embark on their trip.
Initially, the Traze App will automate the contact tracing of people at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Clark Internal Airport, Mactan-Cebu International Airport, and Davao International Airport, and at the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines and Civil Aeronautics Board.
The tracing app was co-developed by the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and Cosmotech Philippines, Inc.
Traze is compliant with Republic Act 1017 or the Data Privacy Act (DPA). It allows anonymous registration and optional submission of personal information (i.e. mobile phone, email address). It is easy to use and does not require Bluetooth nor GPS to work. It will work even with slow data or WiFi.
With nationwide coverage, Traze has complete modules to trace individuals, establishments, logistics, and transportation systems such as trains, vessels, airplanes, jeepneys, taxis, PUVs, and even tricycles, among others.
