The Senate has agreed to the introduction of the CoronaMelder app, which should help the GGD with the source and contact investigation. This became apparent during a roll-call vote this afternoon.
After several days of debating, 51 senators today approved the proposal to introduce the corona app. In the end, 19 senators were against the plan.
CoronaMelder checks via bluetooth whether other telephones are nearby. When smartphones are together for more than 15 minutes, an encrypted code is exchanged between the users of the app.
The patient and the GGD can report this in the event of a corona infection. App users with whom codes have been exchanged will then receive a notification and advice.
Voluntary
We must do everything we can to stop the spread of the virus. The app can play an important role in this, so it’s high time to start using it in the Netherlands
Minister De Jonge (Public Health) has always emphasized that use of the app is voluntary. No information about users or a user’s location is stored. Moreover, someone should never be forced, directly or indirectly, by anyone to use the app.
The proposal was already adopted by the Lower House on 3 September. Now that the Senate has also approved, the app will run nationwide on October 10. A national campaign will also start on that day to draw attention to the app. It is already possible to download the application in online stores.
Minister De Jonge: “It’s great that the use of CoronaMelder is being embraced by both Houses. We must do everything we can to stop the spread of the virus. The app can play an important role in this, so it is high time to start using it in the Netherlands now. ”