The government on Wednesday launched a mobile application designed to trace aviation and airport personnel and air travelers infected with the coronavirus disease.
Initially, the Traze App, a nationwide and unified QR Code-based application, will automate the contact tracing of people at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Clark International Airport, Mactan-Cebu International Airport, and Davao International Airport and at the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines and Civil Aeronautics Board.
By November, the use of Traze App will be made mandatory for all passengers in all airports nationwide.
The tracing app was co-developed by the Philippine Ports Authority and Cosmotech Philippines Inc.
Transportation secretary Arthur Tugade says the use of the Traze app, which was pioneered by the PPA in ports last month, will eventually be used across all modes of transportation to strengthen the government’s efforts in containing COVID-19 by immediately identifying individuals who had contact with COVID-19-positive patients.
All departing and arriving passengers at the airports will be required to download the app on their mobile phones, and to register an account before proceeding to the airport.
Passengers who do not have mobile phones or any other mobile gadget may go to the Malasakit Helpdesk at the airport for registration assistance to get a unique QR code, or they may ask a family member to register them with the app. The QR code can be used at any DOTr Office nationwide.
By using a QR code, Traze speeds up the tedious manual contact-tracing process to just a few minutes.
Passengers will scan the QR codes at designated areas of the airport. Once a COVID-19-positive patient is identified, an in-app notification will be sent to individuals who may have had contact with the patient so they may immediately observe self-isolation procedures,and other health and sanitation precautionary measures.
Traze is compliant with Republic Act 1017 or the Data Privacy Act. It allows anonymous registration and optional submission of personal information such as mobile phone and email address. It is easy to use and does not require Bluetooth or 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.