Contact tracing solutions being developed for elderly and young without smartphones: Lawrence Wong

SINGAPORE — The Government is working on technological solutions to include the elderly and young people who do not have smartphones in contact tracing efforts, National Development Minister Lawrence Wong said on Monday (May 4).

In his ministerial statement in Parliament, Mr Wong said that so far, the Government has rolled out two technological solutions to aid contact tracing, SafeEntry and TraceTogether.

“We are also developing solutions for the elderly and the young who do not have smartphones,” he said. “When the work is ready, we will announce more details."

SafeEntry is a digital check-in/check-out system to log visits by individuals in all business premises and venues. Visitors have to scan a QR code at the entry of the premises using their smartphone to check in or out. Their data can also be collected by scanning their NRIC.

TraceTogether is an app that uses Bluetooth on people’s smartphones to quickly identify whom they have been near to, so that the authorities can quickly contact those people if the need arises.

Mr Wong said harnessing technology for faster contact tracing will be key in helping Singapore open up safely after the circuit breaker period, as is ramping up testing for Covid-19 infections.

From May 12 onwards, it will be compulsory for businesses to use SafeEntry to collect entry and exit information of workers and visitors on their premises for as long as it is required by law.

The TraceTogether mobile application, which was launched on March 20, has been downloaded 1.1 million times, according to its website.

“The team is now working with Apple and Google to enhance this app and make it more effective, especially on iOS phones,” Mr Wong said.

Bukit Batok Group Representation Constituency Member of Parliament Murali Pillai asked whether the TraceTogether app will be made mandatory for Singaporeans to download.

In response, Mr Wong said that once the app has been enhanced, the team will look at how to raise its take-up rate.

Meanwhile, a nationwide testing strategy is being developed, even as the Government scales up testing capacity, he said in his speech.

“It will involve more extensive community surveillance, so that we are better able to detect any unlinked cases in the community.”

Mr Wong added that the Government will prioritise the testing of higher-risk and more vulnerable groups, such as those in nursing homes or healthcare workers, that have high touch-points with the community, before progressively expanding testing to the rest of the essential workforce and the broader community.

While expanded testing and faster contact tracing are two key strategies, they are not a substitute for personal responsibility, he said.

“All of us still have to play a part by practising good personal hygiene habits, wearing a mask when outside, and seeking medical attention immediately when unwell,” he added.

“With these enablers and safeguards in place, we can plan for a safe and gradual resumption of activities in June, provided as we said just now, we see a continued decline in our community numbers.”