Singapore Set to Give Out Virus Tracing Devices This Month
- Devices will not be used for location tracking, says minister
- City-state has ruled out compulsory use of contact tracing app
Commuters wear face masks on the Mass Rapid Transit train as a preventive measure against the COVID-19 coronavirus in Singapore.
Photographer: Catherine Lai/AFP via Getty Images
Singapore expects to deliver the first batch of portable contact tracing devices to people in the latter half of this month as the country looks to progressively introduce this method to tackle the spread of coronavirus.
The device, which is set to be distributed to everyone in the country, will not be used for location tracking, Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said in a briefing on Monday, addressing concerns that have quickly arisen after news of the government’s plan last week. While the device, called TraceTogether Token, isn’t mandatory for now, this may change depending on the take-up rate, he said.