COVIDSafe will provide accurate information that will speed up the process of identifying people who have been in close contact with someone diagnosed with coronavirus. Participation is voluntary.
Ms Ryan said downloading the app would get everyone one step closer to going back to normal life.
“I have chosen to sign up to COVIDSafe because better contact tracing will make it possible to quickly identify people who have come into contact with someone who’s tested positive for coronavirus,” Ms Ryan said.
“Boosted contact tracing will mean outbreaks can be quickly identified and contained and give confidence that we can keep our community safe with relaxed restrictions.”
Information collected in the app can not be accessed unless, and until, a person is diagnosed with COVID-19.
Once the person who has tested positive agrees and uploads the data, it will only be accessed by the relevant state or territory public health officials.
The app works by securely making a ‘digital handshake’ with other users’ devices, noting the date, time and duration of the contact.
The only information state and territory officials can access is that of close contacts – when a person has come within approximately 1.5 metres of another app user for 15 minutes or more.
Once the coronavirus pandemic is over and Australia no longer needs the app, the app and the information on it will be deleted permanently.
The app can be downloaded from app stores.
For more information, visit health.gov.au/resources/apps-and-tools/covidsafe-app
