QR Codes - new contact tracing method after nightclub outbreak in South Korea

          Each country tries to find methods to prevent more novel coronavirus cases. One of them is how to identify and find those who are risking to be infected as fast as possible. 

 (Photo by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay)

          South Korea starts using QR Code for registering visitors in some locations to prevent the 2nd wave of COVID-19 after the nightclub outbreak as the records with handwritten resulted in many false information. Visitors who attend the facilities such as nightclubs, restaurants, hospitals and churches have to scan a QR Code at the location by smartphone application. The information will be stored for up to two months and accessible by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Center for Disease Control and local government. If any infected case visits the place, the authorities will contact those who visit the same place from this information. 

 

         



          Thailand also uses this QR Code method since in the middle of May. Each facility has their own QR codes of Thai Chana website for visitors to scan and check-in when they are entering the store and then check-out when they are exiting. The purpose is to record the history of the access time and calculate the congestion at the location to avoid being too crowned. The visitors can also review the safe measures by reporting via this website. If any infected case visits the place, the visitors will receive SMS notification and can get COVID-19 test for free. Handwritten method is still an option for those who do have smartphones or do not prefer to use the website. Currently the mobile application for Thai Chana is in the launching stage.

 

          There are concerns over infringement privacy issues for the new contact tracing method in both South Korea and Thailand. The officials are aware of this and emphasize that they will use the information for only COVID-19 concerns.