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A digital technology expert is backing government moves to make the use of the Covid Tracer app mandatory in certain circumstances.
Archive image.
Photo: RNZ
Data from the Ministry of Health shows that less than one in six of the 2.3 million registered app users use it on a daily basis.
Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins is looking at whether people should be required to scan with the app at large events and in places like bars and restaurants where physical distancing is difficult.
Andrew Chen, a researcher at the Center for Informed Futures at the University of Auckland, said it was likely that people had become complacent about using the app, either because they believed they had a low risk of contracting Covid-19 or because the application was complicated or annoying to use.
But it said total daily scans were due to return to the 2.5 million mark, levels seen amid the August outbreak in Auckland.
“That shows what’s possible and we need to go back to those kinds of levels to have confidence that there is enough population covered, so if we send out an exposure notification, we have reasonable confidence that the right people will be notified of one. possible exposure “.
Businesses also had a role to play in ensuring their QR codes were easily accessible, Chen said.
“There have been many reports that companies have been strictly adhering to the requirement of displaying a QR code, but having it in a place that is annoying to access, is hidden or hidden.”
The key advantage of the app, Chen said, was speed.
“I think the manual contact tracing system is good and that with enough time, we can find all the contacts that we need to find.
“But one of the most important factors influencing the spread of the disease is the speed of response, and if we can use the app, we could give instructions to people who may have been exposed to Covid-19 more quickly.
“If they can be isolated more quickly, then they can reduce the spread of the disease and potentially save lives.”
However, Chen said the government must take into account people who cannot use the app.
“I think we need to be careful to understand that not everyone can use the application and that there must be other provisions for people who cannot or have very legitimate reasons for choosing not to use the application.”
Hipkins has said he will get more advice in the coming days on how to strengthen the contact tracing system.
