Keeping in check with MySejahtera, MyTrace
Ona federal level, the government has introduced the MySejahtera app as well as the MyTrace app with the same aims of disseminating information and contact tracing.
The public can carry out selfhealth evaluation from time to time via MySejahtera launched in early April.
The MySejahtera app enables users to determine their health levels, identify nearby hospitals and clinics where they can get tested, obtain information on what to do if they do contract Covid-19, and where to get treatment.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba said the application developed to assist in monitoring Covid-19 would also give guidelines to those classified as at risk in the outbreak.
“The application is on par with the technology used by advanced countries and MySejahtera has been tested via pioneer projects at several locations in Malaysia.
“Findings from these pioneer projects are very encouraging which spur us to expand it throughout the country,” he said when speaking at the app’s soft launch.
Members of the public can obtain the latest and verified information on the development of Covid-19 in Malaysia, Asean and the world via the application, he added.
Dr Adham hoped that MySejahtera would assist the people to be more alert of the current situation during the C ovid -19 pandemic and strengthen the effort of the government, especially the ministry to formulate strategy in the combat against the outbreak.
MySejahtera was developed with the strategic cooperation of the National Security Council, Health Ministry, the Malaysian Administrative Modernisation and Management Planning Unit, and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission.
MyTrace to help in contact tracing
Meanwhile, in early May, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovat ion ( MOSTI ) revealed that is has developed an application called MyTrace to help the government trace individuals who may have gone near anyone carrying the Covid19 virus.
It is a contact tracing app that uses Bluetooth to measure how long a user’s phone has been in proximity with other MyTrace users. If a MyTrace user is diagnosed with Covid-19, this would allow the government to track and contact those who might have contracted it from them.
Senior Minister ( Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said MyTrace, which was developed in collaboration with local experts, would complement the MySejahtera launched earlier.
“When mobile phone users with MyTrace are near each other, the Bluetooth waves can detect their presence. Based on the strength of the Bluetooth waves detected, the distance and period of their meeting can be determined.
“The data collected will be kept for 21 days in the handphones of users,” he told a press conference.
Ismail Sabri said the consumer data gathered would be anonymised and MyTrace was not meant to collect geolocation information.
“( This method of ) contact tracing is very important to enable us to know who has gone near a person identified as Covid19 positive,” he added.
Saying that the government was targeting 60 per cent of handphone users in the country with the application, he encouraged the people to download MyTrace and use it.
“If a new cluster of Covid19 is detected, the MyTrace application can help the Health Ministry to trace (contacts) and break the chain of infection as soon as possible,” he said.
Beginning the month of May, the federal government’s two Covid19- related apps MySejahtera and MyTrace have been linked, simplifying the user’s experience with both recommended apps.
In its latest update, the MySejahtera app can now access the MyTrace app through its main menu. It will either take users directly to the latter app, or to the app store if the user hasn’t downloaded MyTrace.
Users will still need to download and login to both apps to make the services work cohesively.
Both apps are managed by administrators within the Ministry of Health, with the approval of the National Security Council.
Gerak Malaysia Another app, Gerak Malaysia, was produced by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission for contact tracing and movement monitoring.
The app requires personal details, including the user’s full name, MyKad or passport number, residential address and email. Users also have to give permission to track their location at all times via the phone’s GPS.
Gerak Malaysia will generate a unique QR code for the user, which most likely will be used at some point to allow travel, as the Terms and Conditions says: “To facilitate Users with the authorised travel document during the period of MCO.”
The Gerak Malaysia application has been downloaded 1.3 million times, with over 600,000 requests for inter- state travel permits received by the Royal Malaysia Police since May 4, said Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Departmen director Datuk Huzir Mohamed.
“For more details on the app and for interstate movement, the public can visit www. gerakmalaysia.gov.my,” he said in a statement on May 6, adding that those stranded and wanting to return to their hometowns should make their applications through the Gerak Malaysia app.
In addition, Huzir urged IOS users to register from May 7 onwards before embarking on their journey according to the stipulated schedules.
“Applications for interstate movement can also be made manually, whereby applicants need to download a form from the PDRM Facebook page or fill up the form at the nearest police station, through appointment, for approval,” he said.