Local governments intensify contact tracing

MANILA, Philippines — Contact tracing applications of local governments would be expanded to help manage the increase in coronavirus infections, according to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF).

The IATF approved the recommendation of the National Economic and Development Authority that the contact tracing applications such as those used by Pasig, Mandaluyong, Antipolo, and Valenzuela be “scaled up to aid in addressing the rise in COVID-19 cases.”

It directed the Department of Information and Communications Technology and the Department of the Interior and Local Government to issue a policy to ensure that all contact tracing apps are interoperable.

The national government is using StaySafe.ph as its contact tracing app. It is mandatory for government agencies and local governments to use the app. The IATF said all establishments need to use the app.

—Leila B. Salaverria