Aussie gov't launches contact tracing app to slow coronavirus spread

The Australian government launched a new COVID-19 app, COVIDSafe, on Sunday.

The app, to be downloaded voluntarily from the Google Play and Apple App Stores, is aimed to speed up the process of identifying people who have been in close contact with someone diagnosed with the COVID-19, and quickly stop further spread of the virus in the community.

According to its instructions on the Health Department's official website, the app uses Bluetooth to look for other devices that have the app installed, takes a note when that occurs, and securely logs the other users' encrypted reference code. The date and time, distance and duration of the contact are generated on the user's phone and recorded. Users will be notified if anyone that they have closely contacted is tested positive for the COVID-19.

Greg Hunt, the minister for health, said the app is part of the three key requirements for easing restrictions: Test, Trace and Respond.

"We are now calling on all Australians to download the COVIDSafe app to help protect you, your family and your community from further spread of the COVID-19. This will be necessary if we are to start easing some of the difficult social distancing restrictions we have had to put in place," he said.

"It will be one of the critical tools we will use to help protect the health of the community by quickly alerting people who may be at risk of having contact with the COVID-19."

He has previously said that at least 40 percent of the Australian population would need to sign up to the app for it to be effective.

There are privacy concerns in the country about the app. But Australian Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy said it only keeps contact information for 21 days.

"This covers the maximum incubation period for the virus and the time it takes for someone to be tested for COVID-19," he said.

"Once the coronavirus pandemic is over, and Australia no longer needs the app, the app and the information on it will be deleted permanently. No virus, no app," Hunt said.

Australia has flattened the curve of COVID-19 infection.

As of 3:00 p.m. local time Sunday, there have been 6,711 confirmed cases of the COVID-19 in the country, 16 more from Saturday afternoon, according to the Department of Health.

"Australians are doing an extraordinary job to flatten the curve and contain the spread of the coronavirus, but we cannot be complacent," said Prime Minister Scott Morrison.