The Singaporean government invests in enhancing the SafeEntry and TraceTogether tools. (Photo: https://www.straitstimes.com/)Singapore (VNA) – Singapore has spent 13.8 million SGD (10.2 million USD) in total on developing and acquiring the SafeEntry digitalcheck-in system and TraceTogether app and tokens.
Included in thecost of these digital contact tracing tools is 2.4 million SGD to develop theTraceTogether app, 5.2 million SGD for developing SafeEntry, and 6.2 million SGDfor the development and procurement of TraceTogether tokens.
The TraceTogethertoken is a wearable device. Similar to the TraceTogether mobile app, the tokenworks by exchanging Bluetooth signals with other nearby tokens or phonesrunning the TraceTogether app.
So far,TraceTogether has helped to identify about 25,000 close contacts of COVID-19cases, of which 160 later tested positive for COVID-19, said Health MinisterGan Kim Yong in a written reply to parliamentary questions on November 2.
Gan added thatthe actual amount spent on contact tracing tools will depend on severalfactors, including the actual number of Singapore residents who need a token.
He said theeffectiveness of TraceTogether increases as more users come onboard. Thegovernment therefore encourages more Singaporeans to join the TraceTogetherprogramme, either by downloading the app or collecting and wearing thetoken."./.
VNA
