Coronavirus: Smartphone app to facilitate contact tracing to be rolled out,
HSE says
The
<https://www.irishtimes.com/topics/topics-7.1213540?article=true&tag_organis
ation=Health+Service+Executive> Health Service Executive (HSE) has said it
is likely that a smartphone app to facilitate contact tracing will be rolled
out in the next 10 days.
The app will reportedly use bluetooth technology, which is a feature of most
smartphones, to detect when devices are in close contact with each other.
When the owner of a device with this app installed tests positive for
Covid-19, this data may enable the contact tracing process to take place
more efficiently and more quickly.
The project was first reported in this morning's edition of the Business
Post.
Speaking at an HSE media briefing today, HSE head of communications
<https://www.irishtimes.com/topics/topics-7.1213540?article=true&tag_person=
Paul+Connors> Paul Connors said the app is "a cross-government effort in
relation to a very important piece of technology" in fighting the pandemic.
He said the HSE is working with a number of agencies, including the Data
Protection Commissioner, on issues such as compliance with strict data
protection and processing rules known as the General
<https://www.irishtimes.com/topics/topics-7.1213540?article=true&tag_person=
Data+Protection+Regulation> Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
By <https://www.irishtimes.com/profile/jack-horgan-jones-7.4663317> Jack
Horgan-Jones
Taxi-booking app to start deliveries to help stem coronavirus
One of the country's taxi booking apps is introducing a new service for
pick-ups and drop-offs to customers in an effort to maintain social
distancing to help people avoid coronavirus.
<https://www.irishtimes.com/topics/topics-7.1213540?article=true&tag_company
=Lynk> Lynk plans to offer the service from Monday, using the company's
nationwide fleet of 2,000 taxi drivers, to retailers and other companies
that provide a click-and-collect service. The company's software will allow
it to tie up with any company that offers an online delivery service.
The service can be fully contactless so that drivers can pick up groceries
and other goods from shops and bring the goods to customers without
person-to-person contacts.
"What it means is that the consumer at home doesn't need to go to the store
and there is no particular contact. Everything will be done on credit card,"
said
<https://www.irishtimes.com/topics/topics-7.1213540?article=true&tag_person=
Noel+Ebbs> Noel Ebbs, chief executive of Lynk.
"The delivery guy will ring the doorbell, step back and the customer
collects the groceries from their doorstep. There is no person-to-person
contact and the two-metre distance will be maintained at all times."
By <https://www.irishtimes.com/profile/simon-carswell-7.1010742> Simon
Carswell Public Affairs Editor
For Screen Reader Users, Lynk is L Y N K.
HSE Website is:
www.hse.ie