Due to the recent surge in Covid-19 cases, Taiwan’s Centers for Disease Control and Taiwan AI Labs has launched a new social distancing app. (Here are the links to download the app Apple/Android). The government is encouraging every person living in Taiwan to download the app and activate it to help prevent further transmission of COVID-19. Although the app is only available in Mandarin, we still encourage non-Mandarin speakers to download it. To aid you, in this blog we will be explaining how the app works and a step-by-step guide on how to use it.

How does the app work?

The app uses Bluetooth technology to alert users if they have been exposed to confirmed COVID-19 cases. The app works voluntarily, meaning it is up to each user to let the app know if they have contracted COVID-19 and are now a positive case.

You might be asking yourself, will the app share my personal information? The answer is no, you will remain anonymous. Both iOS and Android allow the app to generate an anonymous device ID for you. Therefore, you are never asked to input any personal information. The only information the CDC has about you is the random device ID. In the case, you become a COVID-19 positive case and you self-report to the app your response will remain anonymous.

How does the app notify you?

The app will notify you whether you’ve been in contact with a COVID positive case and where the contact may have happened over a two-week period if a person has reported themselves as COVID-19 positive. If you receive this type of notification you should check in with the Health Bureau Office or call the 1922 hotline for instructions on what to do.

How do you use the app?

1.To use the app you first need to download it (iOS/ Android).

2. Open the app.

3. After opening the app, swipe right until you reach the third page and click “START”.

4. Enable the “Exposure” and “Notification” settings.

. 5. Your application is now installed completely. 

6. How would it look like if you WERE NOT in contact with a COVID positive person in the past 14 days? How would it look like if you WERE in contact with a COVID positive person in the past 14 days?

These are the steps you can follow to install the app correctly and completely. Remember to always have your Bluetooth on as it is crucial for the app to work. More than 4 million people have already downloaded the app and done their part to contribute, have you?