The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) will soon roll out nationwide a free mobile app for contact tracing of passengers at ports and ships.
PPA on September 18 introduced TRAZE, a mobile app that uses QR code co-developed with Cosmotech Philippines, Inc. TRAZE should be downloaded and used by passengers instead of accomplishing a health declaration for tracing individuals that have used PPA-operated ports.
PPA will post QR codes in its facilities and on ships for scanning by passengers prior to entering the port facility or ship. A unique QR code will be generated for each passenger, containing the information provided by the person, which port facility or ship the QR code was scanned, and time stamps.
If a passenger is reported to be COVID-19 positive, a notification will be sent to all other passengers the person might have interacted with in the terminal or ship based on information gathered by the application.
PPA said its Malasakit Help Desks in port terminals will assist passengers who will download the app and receive a unique QR code.
The app may be downloaded from the Google Play Store for Android phone users and Apple Store for iOS users.
TRAZE is already used in PPA’s head office. It is also being used by other agencies, such as the municipality of Taytay in Rizal.
The app can also be used to scan QR codes in participating shops, buildings, and transportation modes the users went into to record their movement. It allows person-to-person contact tracing by scanning the unique QR codes of other individuals using the application, as well as those of messengers and delivery personnel.
