An effective way to do contact tracing

 

I make this suggestion on how to carry out contact tracing in an effective way.

A good way to record contact tracing data is to scan the bar code in the NRIC or other identity card (for e.g. concession transport card) at designated locations, e.g. public transport stations, supermarkets, malls, classrooms, etc.

This is already being done at many locations under the "safe entry" protocol.

I suggest that the scanning can be carried out automatically by the devices and do not need to be manned. We can display prominent signs to direct the public to scan their entry. We can employ a smaller number of guides to help the public to do the scanning - at least at the initial stage.

We should give the incentive to the public to carry out the scan. For example, in the event that they are placed on quarantine due to the contact tracing by this platform, they will receive a free covid-19 test and an adequate allowance for each day of quarantine.

We need to use the data that has been captured. The NRIC of an infected person is entered into the database and an algorithm can be run to identify the other people who were scanned at the same location around the same time period. These traced people will be notified automatically by SMS to report to a testing station.

What about the "social distancing ambassadors" who are now employed to carry out the scanning? Will they now become unemployed?

These ambassadors can be re-deployed to perform the the next phase of the project. They have to handle a large number of people who have been traced and identified as "potentially infected".

The ambassadors can be trained to follow up with the large number of people who have been traced and ensure that they report at the testing station. These ambassadors can also be trained to man the testing station.

We will be making better use of these ambassadors to do useful work.

I suggest that this work should be managed directly by a central government agency, rather than the individual businesses. For example, the central agency can procure the scanning device and placed them at many locations.

The central agency may enlist the cooperation of the businesses. If this is done, the agency should direct the work to be done and carry out the coordination.

There is no need to implement the wearable tracker. We can avoid spending several tens of million dollars on this project and have a more effective system. This project is likely to face many challenges and may lead to a waste of public funds.

Tan Kin Lian