South Africa's Department of Health has launched a new mobile application called COVID Alert SA which will help strengthen South Africa’s digital contact tracing efforts.
The COVID Alert SA app can notify you if you have been exposed to another app user with COVID-19 or have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
Everyone in South Africa who has a smartphone that can connect with Bluetooth can use this app. Even your phone can now help in the fight against the coronavirus.
How to use the COVID Alert SA App
- Download the COVID Alert South Africa app on the App Store or Google Play
- Enable exposure notifications
- Allow notifications
With this app, you can keep an eye out for any possible exposures and be alerted if there are any. From there, you can follow the next steps to take care of your wellbeing. If you've been positively diagnosed, the app will anonymously alert other users.
You can use the Unique PIN you'll receive through SMS if you tested positive. You can then also share your random ID with others.
The Department urges:
Use the COVID Alert SA app to protect you, your loved ones and your community. Start using the app today. We can all work together to curb the spread of COVID-19 and, ultimately, to save lives.
Rest assured, your privacy will be protected and you will remain entirely anonymous. The app doesn't ask or store any personal information. In a time where a great stigma exists against individuals who test positive exists, this is of utmost importance. This app doesn't use GPS, track your location or asks for access to your phone's contacts.
The department of @HealthZA will at 10H00 launch a powerful new mobile application, #COVIDAlertSA, to strengthen South Africa’s digital contact tracing efforts.#AlertMe #CoronaVirusSA #StaySafe #PlayYourPart pic.twitter.com/mSOn3REyqK
— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) September 2, 2020
