Newsflash: COVIDSAFE App
Members are no doubt aware that the Federal Government has created a telephone application (App) which will allow public health tracing of people who have been in contact for more than 15 minutes, with a person who is later found to be COVID-19 positive. Electronic monitoring will allow contact tracing to be a much more accurate and efficient process.
It is understood that some people may be concerned about issues of privacy. The Government have advised that the data will be secure, not accessed unless the individual needs to be contacted by public health officials and it will potentially be a pathway to lessening isolation restrictions. Limited information needs to be provided and a text will be used to confirm your phone details. Use of the App is likely to have significant benefits for those that may have unknowingly met a positive COVID-19 person and should help curtail the spread of the virus.
Use of the App is voluntary and you can delete it at any time, with all information collected purged at the end of a 21-day period. An extensive list of Frequently Asked Questions about the App can be found here.
We would encourage members, and their families, to seriously consider downloading the COVIDSAFE App as it will help to make the community safer for everyone. There needs to be a good community uptake for the App to be truly useful.
If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact our Member Support Team via membersupport@anmftas.org.au or for urgent matters phone 6223 6777 or 1800 001 241 (if outside Hobart).
Please note: Due to the current COVID-19 situation, our Member Support Team are now practicing social isolation measures and working from home. Bearing this in mind, email is the preferred and fastest way of contacting them.
Updates correct as at 28 April 2020
Authorised by Emily Shepherd, ANMF Tasmanian Branch Secretary