Introduction of a mobile phone-based app
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- July 19, 2021
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Introduction of a mobile phone-based app ‘SWARAKSHA’ “ස්වාරක්ෂා (=>ස්ව + ආරක්ෂා )” for mitigation of COVID-19 pandemic
Under a COVID19 pandemic prevention Research Grant of National Research Council under the Ministry of Higher Education, Technology and Inovation, a team of researchers headed by Prof. Chandana Jayaratne of the Astronomy and Space Science Unit, Department of Physics, University of Colombo has developed a mobile phone-based app named “SWARAKSHA” to mitigate COVID-19 pandemic. This is a 100% Sri Lankan developed app, and the general public can download it free. It provides r eal-time protection with information privacy.
Once the health authorities upload the data, the general public, with this app on, can go anywhere and engage in economic reviewing activities without much fear. When you approach to any one of the followings within 10 m distance an alarm in your phone will beep, the phone vibrates, and a notification will be given on the screen in different 5 colours indicating the risk level persons you are approaching: Covid-19 active(RED)/ Recovered(YELLOW)/ Quarantined (BROWN)/Quarantine completed (GREEN), Came from abroad (Magenta) ) within last 14/28 days. Moreover, on a dynamic map, you can see the risk level before you visit a place like a shopping mall. With this app, we can open up the tourism industry of the country, which generate 13% of our income. Geofencing security facility is available if needed to self-quarantine COVID suspects at their homes/in a hotel. If a person gets infected, the facility is available, if required, in the app to trace back his/her contacts up to last 14 days. The app also has QR code feature indicating his risk level and can be used to enter a public place as a security, in addition to the existing body temperature measuring method. The app can be used to mitigate any other pandemics that may pop-up in future and also to show Dengue clusters.
Most of the countries those who controlled the mass spreading of COVID-19 patients successfully have used their own mobile phone-based apps as an integral part of the mitigatory programs. This is by far the most advanced app developed in the world with a large number of features to mitigate any pandemic while protecting the privacy of the individuals. We are also planning to give this app free to needy countries in the world through the World Health Organization(WHO).
