The Department of Tourism (DOT) as well as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) recently launched an application known as the “SafePass.” This is an app that would allow establishments, businesses, and other corporations associated to tourism to freely operate under the new normal.
As per Benito Bengzon Jr, the Undersecretary and the Spokesperson of the DOT, this will provide basic solutions to the people who need to go to work.
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It basically provides digital solutions, no, pagdating sa space capacity planning, no, ilan ba pupwedeng pumasok diyan; yung contact tracing, no, to make sure that we're able to monitor yung movements ng ating mga customers doon sa establishment, sa restaurant, and then yung protocol enforcement."
In Translation: Basically, this provides a digital solution when it comes to space capacity planning some can come in there; contact tracing, to make sure that we're able to monitor the movements of our customers in the establishment, in restaurant, and then the protocol enforcement.
The SafePass App
The SafePass app would be of great help to industries as it will assist customers in mapping out when they decide to visit a certain establishment. It is also one way of regulating the allowed maximum capacity since social distancing is needed.
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In addition to that, he added that to be able to meet the new normal after being lockdown and quarantined for a long period of time due to Coronavirus pandemic, this app is needed; with the inclusion-tech venture Talino Venture Labs.
Pagdating naman dun sa booking, pupwede tayong pumunta dun sa app tapos alamin natin kung ano oras ba tayo pupunta dun, ilang tao tayo, and you know, we will be able to get information if we can be accommodated. So nawawala dito ngayon yung problema na pagpasok mo dun eh siksikan pala, hindi ka makapasok.”
In Translation: When it comes to booking, we can proceed to the app and check what the best time is to travel; what the headcount is, and you know, we will be able to get information if we can be accommodated. So, this eliminates the problem of (the establishment) already being crowded once you get there, preventing you from getting inside.
Ownership of the Data
As per the developers (UNAWA), Safepass is giving the assurance that they do not have the ownership of the data that they process. The only way they’ll be able to know it is through the business – for contact-tracing purposes.
In addition to the SafePass app, SafeForm is also another application that has been developed by the developers. Similarly, the goal of this app is to ensure that the processes are all digital to lessen and to reduce physical contacts between people – and to convert the platforms to follow a digital route.
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Akin to the Safepass app, SafeForm is also not acquiring any type of consumer data and will solely be for the purpose of contact-tracing or the enhancement of the system.
SafePass App Features
Some of the features of the SafePass app include:
- Guest Reservation – to predict and appoint the visit for all people;
- Scheduling and Capacity Management – to better implement the physical distancing rules and regulations
- Contract Tracing Analytics – an improved incident management experience; and
- Visitor Health Questionnaire – the collection of the information of health from all visitors through contactless and all-digital ways.
Reducing Physical Contact
Since almost all transactions are deemed to be cashless and not face-to-face, the app would be a big contribution to lessen and overall reduce the physical contact from people in public places.
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Right now the only tourism–related business like that of hotels are the only business permitted to operate at limited capacity which can only accommodate overseas Filipino workers, those essential businesses like business process outsourcing establishments, banks, and medical frontliners.
For the meantime, restaurants and food hubs under the general community quarantine (GCQ) areas are only allowed certain transactions; for instance, they could only accommodate take-out and delivery. Those in modified GCQ areas can offer dine-in operations but only with a minimum capacity.
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What do you think about the SafePass app? Do you think that this will be a big help in the overall implementation of social distancing rules and regulations? Would this help out in the battle that we have over the infamous Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)?
Let's wait for further innovation to create better apps and programs that would help out in the situation.
Source/s: CNN Philippines | Business World Online
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