(FILE) Passengers check-in for international flights on NAIA Terminal 3, which resumed such operations today since March 28, 2020 during the enhanced community quarantine period.
INQUIRER PHOTO/LYN RILLON
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr), particularly its aviation and airport sector, is set to soft launch a contact tracing app in four airports across the country on Wednesday, Oct. 28.
The DOTr said on Tuesday said the QR-Code based contact tracing app, TRAZE, will automate the contact tracing of agencies under the DOTr’s air sector.
This includes the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), Manila International Airports Authority (MIAA), Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB), Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC), and the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA).
The transportation department said the app will be pilot-tested through a soft launch at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Clark International Airport, Mactan-Cebu International Airport, and Davao International Airport.
“Other airports will follow soon. After a month or by 28 November, use of TRAZE will be made mandatory for all air passengers in all airports nationwide,” the DOTr said in a statement.
Departing and arriving passengers at the said airports will be required to download the app on their mobile phones and to register an account before proceeding to the airport.
DOTr said those who do not have mobile phones or any other mobile gadget may go to the Malasakit Helpdesk at the airport for registration assistance to get a unique QR code, or they may ask a family member to register them with the app.
The QR code can be used at any DOTr Office nationwide. Passengers will scan the QR codes at designated areas of the airport.
Once a COVID-19 positive patient is identified, an in-app notification will be sent to individuals who may have had contact with the patient so they may immediately observe self-isolation procedure, and other health and sanitation precautionary measures.
DOTr said the contact tracing app is compliant with Republic Act 1017 or the Data Privacy Act.
The app will eventually be used across all modes of transportation, as part of the government’s efforts to contain COVID-19, DOTr added.