THE developer of the Safe Davao QR (DQR) code is working on to incorporate in the push notification the date, time, and place where the QR code holder had close contact with a Covid-19 patient, a city official said.
The city government started sending "push notifications" on January 15, 2021 through a text message to those who are registered with the city's contact tracing QR.
Human Resource Management Office head Lemuel Ortonio said in a radio interview on Wednesday, February 4, that the city is currently working on including the feature in the system after seeing it as a need following the initial rollout of the text notification.
Ortonio, who leads the DQR implementation, said they decided to add it to the system following clamor from the public to make them aware where they had interacted with a positive patient.
"Ginaayos na na karon sa atong development team nga i-apil siya didto sa text message nga naa ang date, time, ug place aron makahibalo ka as an individual asa ka na-exposed (The development team is working on adding the date, time, and place as an additional feature on the text message notification to aware them where and when he or she was exposed to a positive patient)," he said in an interview on 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio.
The official did not mention a definite date on when it will be implemented but he said developers would have yet to arrange it before it can be built into the system.
He admitted that some recipients expressed worries and concerns upon receiving the text message but the official reminded them not to panic and instead read carefully the instructions indicated in the text messages.
"Basically, ang instruction nga nakabutang didto is i-monitor lang nila ilang sarili, i-check nila kung naa ba sila ma-experience nga any symptoms of Covid, and if naa sila ma-experience, mudiretso sila sa ilang barangay health center o sa ilang district health office (the instruction says they should self-monitor and check if they are experiencing Covid-19 related symptoms. If they are, they should proceed to their nearest barangay health centers or district health offices)," Ortonio said.
The text message also has the number of the Covid-19 operation center where the recipients of the message can call and report their status.
"Daghan ta na-receive nga mga calls, wherein ang uban kay nabalaka, nangayo’g clarification (We received many calls, wherein most of them are worried and have been asking clarification)," the official said, adding this proved how the push notification made the casual contacts vigilant and responsible in knowing their status and what to do.
He, however, clarified they are not yet mandated to undergo 14 day-quarantine.
The DQR, an electronic contact tracing and travel pass platform intended to be implemented for several purposes, has been implemented since November 2020 and starting on February 3, the city government fully enforced the mandatory scanning of the DQR.
This is in accordance with the issued and signed Executive Order (EO) 02, which mandates all establishments and offices in Davao City to implement the scanning of the DQR code of all individuals entering their premises.
However, the city has also exempted offices and establishments that are not enclosed or are not inside a structure with a roof and walls from scanning DQR codes. This includes, for example, milk tea stall, ambulant vendor, lechon manok stand, sari-sari store, bakeshops, market (palengke) stall, etc.
Buildings that have several offices or stores inside -- like malls, hospitals, commercial complexes, etc. -- are also exempted. The individual stores and offices inside the buildings, however, will be responsible for scanning the DQR of their customers.
Ortonio also clarified some queries and confusion amid the recent order of the suspension of the DQR scanning in all checkpoints in the city.
The official said that scanning at checkpoints was temporarily suspended as the city will be putting additional features intended for checkpoint personnel of Task Force Davao and the Davao City Police Office.
"Naa tay idungag nga feature nga makita sa atong checkpoint kung ang isa ka individual or person, kung allowed ba siya mugawas --- kung Covid-positive ba siya, or on home quarantine, makita nila (We will be adding another feature wherein checkpoint personnel will know if a certain individual is allowed to go out --- whether he is a confirmed Covid-19 positive or are under mandatory home quarantine. We can determine it.)," Ortonio said. (RGL)