NZ COVID Tracer is a free contact tracing software developed by the Ministry of Health of New Zealand. This health tool enables the government of New Zealand to easily and quickly track down and monitor citizens that have close contact with a COVID 19 patient. It uses QR codes placed on business grounds, organizations, and other public places to monitor all the places you visit. By scanning the code, the app can create a digital diary of your whereabouts.  Note that you need to register your contact information in the app. By doing so, the National Close Contract Service can get in touch with you if they need to.

Handy and secured application

NZ COVID Tracer app guarantees that your privacy and data security are highly protected. The Ministry of Health of New Zealand government has worked jointly with the Privacy Commissioner and various independent security experts to develop this essential and handy application. Thus, you can assure that all the information you chose to share with this tool is in safeguard and will automatically be removed after 31 days. The said information will only be used for public health purposes and not for enforcement.

The user interface of the NZ COVID Tracer app is simple and straightforward. Upon launching, the app requires you to log in or sign up using any of your preferred email addresses. You will need to provide your full name and contact number. Once done, the app will direct you to the home page dashboard. The homepage displays all the features you will need, including the QR code scanner and your personal information settings. If you’re on self-quarantine or isolation, this substantial app will also be capable of monitoring your daily health check-ins, which will enable you to immediately ask for help once you need it.

NZ COVID Tracer is a brilliant app that could truly help the citizens and authorities to get through this pandemic. However, as it is their first installment, it showcases major drawbacks. For one, its QR scanner does not work most of the time. A bit problematic, considering that the app’s main job is to be a digital diary of the places people visited. Moreover, it also contains bugs that bring you back to the registration page even if you’ve successfully logged in already. 

Vital applications need refurbishment

NZ COVID Tracer can play a huge role in flattening the curve, if not wiping out the spread of the virus in New Zealand. However, as it is now, the app needs a lot of improvement to be of help to the government. Its main function, the QR code scanner, must at least work to make it easy to track down possible carriers of the virus. Once this issue is addressed, the app can be an aid instead of a hassle.