In case you’re not aware, the Ministry of Health announced that in order for the country to shift to Phase 3, they need a higher take-up rate for TraceTogether.
The goal? 70%. Currently, we’re at 45%.
By the end of this year, most places would also require you to scan your TraceTogether app / token before you can enter.
Many residents have actually downloaded the app but are not turning it on, which is a bit like bringing an umbrella out with you during a thunderstorm and sticking it in your pocket.
Some users have concerns about privacy, even though the authorities have emphasised that they will not track users’ location, but only collect the numbers of those who were in close contact with Covid-19 cases.
You can watch this video to the end to understand how it works (and please subscribe to our YouTube channel for more informative videos!):
Moreover, the TraceTogether app requires a smartphone, something many young children and elderly residents do not have.
So, for whatever reason, if you’re hesitant to use the app, you can now carry a little token in your pocket that looks like a Digimon device instead.
TraceTogether Token
Back in June, the authorities announced that a TraceTogether Token would progressively be distributed to residents to facilitate contact tracing efforts, especially for those without smartphones.
It works in the same way as the TraceTogether app, exchanging and logging Bluetooth signals between nearby devices that are in close proximity.
The first batch of TraceTogether tokens was given out to a select group of 10,000 seniors in June.
Now, you too can collect your own TraceTogether token for free.
So, how do you do it?
How & Where to Get Your TraceTogether Token
While it’s not compulsory to have, the TraceTogether token will be distributed to residents who want one.
To get yours, all you have to do is visit token.gowhere.gov.sg and key in your postal code for the details.
Then, depending on your location, you’ll either be able to collect it at a community centre or club, or a TraceTogether Mobile Booth.
Once there, just present your NRIC and you’ll be issued your token.
Your child can collect the token herself, as long as she’s above the age of seven.
You can also collect tokens on behalf of your family members as long as you bring along their identity cards.
Here are some useful facts about the device:
- It’s water-resistant but not waterproof, so do not immerse it in water or place it near fire
- If you have the TraceTogether token, you don’t need to download the app. Residents can choose to use one or the other
- Non-citizens are also eligible to collect a token, as long as they’re a resident here
- If you happen to lose your token, you can get it replaced for free. Only the first replacement will be free, however
Does Not Track Location
These days, people are wary of having their privacy invaded and personal data monitored, which is an understandable concern.
So when you hear about a device that will help with contact tracing, you’re probably going to be a little uncomfortable using it.
But as Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan explained, the TraceTogether token is not a tracking device nor an electronic tag.
“…to be technical, there is no GPS chip on the device. There isn’t even any Internet or mobile telephone connectivity,” he said.
The gahmen can’t track your location and movement without a GPS chip, of course. And without internet connectivity, there is “no possibility” of data being uploaded “without the participation and consent of the user,” said the minister.
Data Regularly Deleted
The app only logs interactions between users who have been in close contact, not their locations nor any personal data.
Furthermore, all logs are encrypted and logs older than 25 days will automatically be deleted.
So, there’s really nothing to worry about.
Considering that more public venues and even workplaces and schools will start implementing TraceTogether-only SafeEntry to prepare for Phase 3, it’d be a good idea to get your token now, especially if you don’t want to use the app.
Users who require assistance with their tokens can e-mail [email protected] or call 6973-6511. The hotline is operational on weekdays, from 9am to 6pm.
Here’s a simplified summary of the South Korea martial law that even a 5-year-old would understand:
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