COVID-19 tracing app active in Manitoba
The Canada COVID Alert app is active in Manitoba and governments are encouraging people to download it, for contact tracing in the event you test positive or have been near someone who does.
The app works through Bluetooth, and when engaged exchanges random codes with nearby phones. Every day, it checks a list of random codes from people who tell the app they tested positive. If you’ve been near one of those codes in the past 14 days, you’ll get a notification. It does not use nor share any personal information.
This week, the Manitoba government began promoting the COVID Alert app to users of government-owned devices automatically including devices at Manitoba Hydro, Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries, and Manitoba Public Insurance.
A notification was sent to enable users to download the app, removing the need for each employee to access the app store and download the app. Employees must still make the personal decision to open and initialize the app, in order to access the added protection this tool provides.
It may be a useful tool for a company’s employees, especially those who are asymptomatic, to be alerted to possible exposure and to self-monitor or be tested.
While this is a personal choice for individuals with private phones, a company could mandate its employees to download and activate the app on their work phones.
