Belgium plans to recruit 2,000 “coronavirus detectives” to track down people who may have been infected with Covid-19.
The government is also drawing up regulations for the use of a contract tracer mobile phone app.
Belgium plans to recruit 2,000 “coronavirus detectives” to track down people who may have been infected with Covid-19.
The government is also drawing up regulations for the use of a contract tracer mobile phone app.
The investigators will try to find those who have been close to those who have the virus and encourage them to get tested. If they test positive, they will be told to self-isolate for a fortnight.
The Telegraph reports that The “contract tracers”, who will need only a few hours’ training, could form part of a slowly emerging exit strategy from lockdown measures in Belgium and are likely to be in work until a vaccine is found.
Belgium’s National Security Council, which is expected to meet on Friday to discuss the exit strategy, said 170 people had died from coronavirus in the country in the last 24 hours, which takes the total to 5,998 victims since the pandemic began
Belgium intends to gradually phase out the restrictions from May 4. The thinking is the “detectives” could help eliminate new sources of infection as quickly as possible as restrictions are relaxed and so prevent the need to return to lockdown.
The government is also drawing up regulations for the use of a contract tracer mobile phone app. Regulators in Belgium and at European Union level are mulling how to take advantage of the technology, while respecting EU privacy laws.
The app uses bluetooth technology in smartphones to keep track of possible contacts and infections between people. If a user tests positive for coronavirus, everyone who has been in contact with them gets a notification on their phone.
If they test positive, they will be told to self-isolate for a fortnight.
The Telegraph reports that The “contract tracers”, who will need only a few hours’ training, could form part of a slowly emerging exit strategy from lockdown measures in Belgium and are likely to be in work until a vaccine is found.
Belgium’s National Security Council, which is expected to meet on Friday to discuss the exit strategy, said 170 people had died from coronavirus in the country in the last 24 hours, which takes the total to 5,998 victims since the pandemic began
Belgium intends to gradually phase out the restrictions from May 4. The thinking is the “detectives” could help eliminate new sources of infection as quickly as possible as restrictions are relaxed and so prevent the need to return to lockdown.
The government is also drawing up regulations for the use of a contract tracer mobile phone app. Regulators in Belgium and at European Union level are mulling how to take advantage of the technology, while respecting EU privacy laws.
The app uses bluetooth technology in smartphones to keep track of possible contacts and infections between people. If a user tests positive for coronavirus, everyone who has been in contact with them gets a notification on their phone.
