Singapore hits 70% adoption goal for government tracking system

The Singaporean government’s wish came true with the announcement today that its goal of 70% population tracking has been surpassed.

That’s what percentage are using the TraceTogether tracking app or token, which the government made clear in October would need to see a 70% adoption rate before health measures were relaxed – a move already announced for Monday. 

“#TraceTogether may be the world’s most successful digital contact tracing programme. We have surpassed the 70% participation rate in Singapore. Thank you all for your trust, confidence and support!” Vivian Balakrishnan, the minister in charge of the initiative, announced today. He said the system has at least two million active users.

Balakrishnan said residents can also look forward to a new device being developed by the GovTech agency that lets people check into venues more easily, similar to how the EZ-link transportation smart cards work. 

“GovTech (Government Technology Agency of Singapore) is currently prototyping a device so that we can operate a familiar ‘TAP-AND-GO’ check-in system similar to EZ Link gantries. This will make the process even more convenient and quick in the future,” he said.

He added that 1.75 million tokens have been distributed through community centers since September. Even so, he told reporters today at a token distribution event in Eunos that there were no plans to make the tracking system compulsory at popular venues such as shopping malls for now.

Residents have been checking in at venues using the digital “SafeEntry” system by either scanning a QR code or checking in via identification card. As of now, only cinemas require the use of TraceTogether. 

It took two months to get most on board the system. In October, chairman of the coronavirus task force, Lawrence Wong urged people to cooperate and pinned the third phase of relaxed measures on a 70% adoption rate. 

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced last week that Singaporeans may gather in groups of eight rather than five. He also said inoculations would be free, with the first going to elderly residents and frontline workers. The first shipment of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine doses arrived Monday from Belgium.

As of yesterday, Singapore has reported 58,461 COVID-19 cases and 29 deaths since January. 

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