KT EXPLAINER: KNOW THE APP

what is AlHosn?

AlHosn is the official UAE app for contact tracing and health testing related to Covid-19, launched by the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA). The app helps trace people who have been in close proximity to confirmed Covid-19 cases to prevent the spread of the virus. It also provides residents with access to their test results and a health colour coding system that identifies and allows individuals that are free from Covid-19 disease to access public spaces.

How does AlHosn use contact tracing to protect us?

AlHosn uses an encrypted Secure Tracing Identifier (STI) that is exchanged locally on devices of individuals in proximity of one another. The STI consists of anonymized data and a timestamp. The anonymized STI is stored in encrypted form temporarily for 3 weeks on the phone.

When an individual is known to be infected, they will be requested by the health authority to share the stored STI list on their phone. This list will provide the authorities with accurate information to reach out to possibly infected people and have them tested — this is the most effective way to stop the spread of the virus.

It also has a feature where the person can know whether he or she has been in contact with anyone who tested positive for Covid-19.

Dr prasad Narasimha specialist anaesthetist at NMC Speciality Hospital, Al Ain