| Summary: | In light of the pandemic, authorities around the world are initiating contact tracing methods to reduce the spread of the virus, by promptly identifying close contacts of the infected. In Singapore, various methods have been implemented since the beginning. In the early phases, certain contact tracing methods had the potential to be improved, notably the first rendition of the SafeEntry QR code scanning method.
Scanning QR codes sometimes required people to form crowds in order to be able to scan a QR code from up close. To an extent, this puts the safety of people at risk since safe-distancing rules are not practised. Information such as 14-day check-in history is also not available to the general public, for them to monitor their health, in case they were once near a Covid-19 cluster.
An Android application utilising Bluetooth low energy beacons is being developed to ease the process of contact tracing. Beacons allow people to receive information, such as SafeEntry check-in links, from a distance and prevents people from crowding unnecessarily. This also speeds up entry into public areas such as malls. The application aims to give people a clear visual of their currently checked-in locations, dates and times of check-ins, list of nearby devices, and check-in history.
This report focuses on the development methods and processes of the pilot application, and will provide readers with further understanding on Bluetooth low energy technology as well as Android application development. Future improvements need to be done for this project to reach its full potential, and possibly act as a nation-wide contact tracing method.
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