When the government first informed residents during the COVID-19 pandemic that registering their visits at public venues would be mandatory, they were worried to say the least.
Is the gahmen tracking me? Will they know how much toilet paper I buy every day? It’s just a hobby, I promise.
Nowadays, checking in at a supermarket or mall feels as customary as tapping your EZ-Link card on public transport.
While not exactly a backbreaking task, the process will soon be made much simpler.
TraceTogether Check-In Will Be Compulsory from 1 June
Come 1 June, high-risk venues will only accept the TraceTogether app or token when patrons check in with SafeEntry.
These include places with higher number of visitors, like malls, workplaces, places of worship, and schools, and venues where people are likely to be in close proximity for prolonged periods, such as restaurants and gyms.
As such, other modes of SafeEntry – scanning a SafeEntry QR code with your mobile camera or the Singpass app – will be discontinued.
A Smoother Process
Thanks to the new SafeEntry Gateway (SEGW) box, checking in with TraceTogether will be a much quicker process.
Over 2,700 locations have been equipped with the new device, including shopping malls, cinemas, supermarkets, and hospitals.
Similar to using your EZ-Link card on public transport, all visitors have to do is tap their TraceTogether token or app on the SEGW box.
The SEGW works by exchanging Bluetooth signals with the TraceTogether app on a phone or token within a 25cm range.
When you hold your phone or token near the device, a green light will come on, indicating a successful registration.
Controversy Over Usage of Data
While more than 90% of the population have either downloaded the app or collected the token, some residents may be reluctant to use it.
Earlier this year, the authorities revealed that TraceTogether data can be used for police investigations.
Residents were understandably displeased with this new information, as they were previously told that TraceTogether data that is older than 25 days will automatically be deleted and that it’d only be used for contact tracing.
In response to the criticism, the government said it will introduce legislation listing seven categories of serious offences for which TraceTogether data can be used for police investigations.
Students Who Forget Their Tokens or Phones Will Not Be Denied Entry
If you’re worried about your child being stranded outside the school gate while you’re at work, fret not.
And if you’re a student planning to “forget” your token so you can avoid going to class, good luck with that.
Even if a student forgets to bring his TraceTogether token or phone with the app after 1 June, they will not be denied entry into the school.
Schools will continue to use their internal system for attendance, the Ministry of Education (MOE) said.
MOE also advised students to write their name and class on their token to prevent losing the device.
Venues & Events That Will Require TraceTogether
Below is a list of venues and events where checking in with TraceTogether will be compulsory from 1 June:
- Workplaces
- Solemnisations and weddings
- Funeral and funerary events
- Funeral parlours with wake halls
- Schools and educational institutions
- Preschools and student care centres
- Healthcare facilities
- Residential and community-based care facilities
- Hotels and hostels
- Places of worship
- Banks and financial institutions
- Malls
- Supermarkets
- Large retail outlets bigger than 10,000 sq ft
- Food & beverage outlets for dine-in customers
- Personal care services
- Facilities providing basic pet services that do not function on a drop-off and pick-up basis
- Selected popular wet markets: Geylang Serai Market, Chong Pang Market, Block 20/21 Marsiling Lane, and Block 505 Jurong West Street 52
- Showrooms
- Tuition and enrichment and training centres
- Outdoor exercise class venues
- Sports and fitness centres including gyms and studios
- Country and recreation clubs
- Registered premises of other member clubs and societies
- Libraries
- Museums
- Exhibitions
- Cinemas
- Ticketed attractions
- Other entertainment venues: Amusement centres, computer game centres, board game centres, billiard saloons, paintball game centres, axe-throwing centres
- Event venues such as function halls and event lawns
- Cruises
As you can see, this is a rather long list, and unless you only leave your house to feed chubby cats on the streets, you will have to download the TraceTogether app or get the token.
Those who have not collected the token can still do so at community clubs or community centres. Head to TokenGoWhere to find out more.
Meanwhile, those who have the app are advised to download the latest version and turn on their Bluetooth for effective digital contact tracing.
To know more about TraceTogether, watch this video to the end:
Featured Image: Facebook (Smart Nation Singapore)