How COVID Alert App Keeps Canadians Safe

COVID Alert app is said to be just one part of the public health effort to limit the spread of Covid-19.

COVID Alert is the Government of Canada’s free exposure notification app. Users are supposed to open the app once a day and keep background updates switched on to check them regularly.

The app promises to break the cycle of infection. It can let other app users know of possible exposures before any symptoms appear.

“We’re not out of the woods yet. Covid-19 cases are rising across the country. So as we head into the holidays, we need to remain vigilant. We need to keep doing the things we know work – things like wearing your mask, washing your hands, and avoiding gatherings,” said Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, in his tweet. He added that COVID Alert is another way to protect people and urged Canadians to download the app.

We’re not out of the woods yet. COVID-19 cases are rising across the country. So as we head into the holidays, we need to remain vigilant. We need to keep doing the things we know work – things like wearing your mask, washing your hands, and avoiding gatherings.

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) December 21, 2020

According to the government, COVID Alert does not use GPS or track the user location. It has no way of knowing your location, your name or address, your phone’s contacts, the health information of anyone you’re near, and nobody will get any information about you or the time you were near them, the app claims.

Download All Issues of Covid Health Bulletin (now, The Outbreak)
April 16-30, 2020	May 1-15, 2020	May 16-31, 2020
June 1-15, 2020	June 16-30, 2020	July 1-15, 2020
July 16-31, 2020	August 1-15, 2020	August 16-31, 2020
September 1-15, 2020	September 16-30, 2020	October 1-15, 2020
October 16-31, 2020	November 1-15, 2020	November 16-30, 2020
December 1-15, 2020	December 16-31, 2020

The app uses Bluetooth to exchange random codes with nearby phones. Every day, it checks a list of random codes from other users who tell the app they tested positive. If you’ve been near a user who tested positive within the last 14 days, through these random codes, you’ll get a notification.

COVID Alert app is said to be just one part of the public health effort to limit the spread of Covid-19.