Coronavirus outbreak: Chandigarh launches app to track quarantined people
In a bid to keep people indoors amid the outbreak of COVID-19, the Chandigarh administration has launched a dedicated tracker. The app, as explained by local authorities, will be used to monitor the movements of people put on home quarantine and alert the police if they violate the enforced restrictions. Here's how the app will work.
'CVD Tracker' to geo-fence people on quarantine
The tracker app in question has been designed to geo-fence the people who came in close contact with coronavirus positive cases and have been put on home quarantine. It will give these people a 50-meter walking room and continuously track their movements to ensure that they do not venture out in their neighborhood or society and expose others to possible infections.
If someone violates geo-fence, authorities will be informed
If any party who is being tracked with CVD Tracker decides to breach the geo-fence or turns off their phone, the SHO of the nearest police station as well as the central control room, set up to monitor quarantined individuals, will be notified. From there, they can track down the violator and book them under relevant provisions of law.
SHOs would get notifications on their phone
Nilambari Jagdale, the Senior Superintendent of Chandigarh Police, says that all 16 SHOs of 16 police stations in Chandigarh have been given access to the administration app of the tracker to get easily notified about violations. Then, he adds, their team can "find out what made the person concerned to leave the area" and take relevant action according to the situation at hand.
Download to be mandated by government
Notably, the tracker would be mandatory to download for people who have been put on quarantine. The decision, the authorities say, will help them better manage the movement of people as the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve in the region. If the number of quarantined individuals increases drastically in the future, the app will also make it easier for authorities to keep them indoors.
