Wristband ‘will allow for home self-isolation’

Locally developed electronic tag may eradicate need for quarantine centres

A NEW wristband developed in North Cyprus could remove the need for coronavirus quarantine centres and allow people to self-isolate in their homes.

The electronic tag, developed by researchers at Near East University (NEU), has been designed to send an alert to the authorities if the wearer leaves their home during their quarantine period.

If adopted by the government, it is thought the tag could save the state millions in quarantine costs.

Under the current rules, anyone travelling to the TRNC from a “Category B” country – which includes the UK and Turkey – must stay in quarantine for seven days, while those from “Category C” countries have to spend 14 days in quarantine.

NEU has also developed smart phone applications to be used with the tags.

“Keeping the security of personal data at the forefront, applications suitable for Android and IOS phones were also developed for the electronic wristband, whose software was produced using the NEU supercomputer,” an NEU statement said.

“If the user deletes the application from their phone, or if the connection is lost between the wristband and the phone, the system notifies the necessary units and parties.”

NEU said that under the home quarantine method it is “difficult to detect” people who “do not comply” with the rules without an electronic tracking system.

“On the other hand, quarantine in [pandemic] centres results in a serious cost for the state.”

The wristband could also be used in “non-pandemic situations deemed appropriate by the state within the legal regulations”, the NEU statement added.

NEU board of trustees chairman Prof Dr İrfan Suat Günsel said that the “design, software and production” of the electronic wristband will be carried out in the Turkish Republic Northern Cyprus. “With technologyoriented projects, we are taking one more step towards our goals of innovation, localisation and nationalisation,” Prof Günsel said. “As Near East University, we will continue to produce technology by working on software, informatics, communication, energy production and distribution systems, wearable technologies and smart systems.” of