DTI urges establishments, customers to use StaySafe.ph for easier contact tracing

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Sunday encouraged business establishments and customers to use the government's digital contact tracing app StaySafe.ph to make contact tracing initiatives more convenient and safe.

"Sa lahat ng mga establisimyento, naggagawa kami ng announcement ngayon. Ine-encourage natin 'yung digital contact tracing app para i-apply nila," said DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez in a Dobol B sa News TV interview.

According to Lopez, the use of StaySafe.ph would allow customers to skip writing down their contact details on a piece of paper for contact tracing purposes, thus reducing their risk of contracting COVID-19.

The mobile application, he said, would allow customers to create their own QR code which is scanned at the entrance of business establishments and stores.

Those who do not have smartphones may opt to borrow one and print out their own QR codes, he added.

"Sa ganoong paraan, digitally nako-contact trace sila. Parang logbook, kaya lang digital. Nalalaman sino ang pumapasok. Atsaka naka-integrate kasi ito sa overall Department of Health repository data system," Lopez said.

"'Yung QR code na 'yun, kahit pumasok sila sa entrance ng mall or mga tindahan sa loob, 'yun na lang ang ipapakita nila, i-scan na lang ang QR code nila. Highly-encouraged ito ng IATF para hindi na sumusulat sa papel at nagtatagal pa sa labas o sa labas ng bawat store," he added.

As of Saturday, a total of 427,797 cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the Philippines, of which 31,402 are active while 8,333 are fatalities. —KG, GMA News