Everything you need to know about the Government's contact tracing app for Kiwis

The Government's contract tracing app, named NZ Covid Tracer, has been released today.

Once signed in, users are able to scan QR codes using their phone's camera at businesses, public buildings and other organisations to track where they have been for contract tracing purposes.

From there, people can see their "check-in" history.

NZ Click here to download the NZ Covid Tracer app

Users can also register their details to the National Close Contact Service in order for them to be able to contact quickly if needed.

Bloomfield encouraged Kiwis to download the NZ Covid Tracer app, saying: "The app is another tool in our toolbox [to contact trace]."

The app has the function to scan QR codes at participating businesses so users can keep a digital log of their movements without needing to hand over their personal details to businesses.

The only information held at the Ministry is the contact information you provide when you register, other records of where you've been is only stored on the phone, he said.

The app helps "build a picture" of where you've been if you're infected with Covid-19/
92,000 people have downloaded the app.

The Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment is also contacting 800,000 businesses and already 1000 have downloaded QR code posters and more are being registered are at a rate of 10 per minute.

Privacy had been a major consideration of the app and had been worked through with the Privacy Commissioner, as would any future iterations which have Bluetooth functionality, he said.

Bloomfield said there was a "good incentive" for businesses to sign up to the app and move from a manual sign-in as it was much simpler.

A feature coming soon to the app is a "daily self-isolation check-in" which help those who are by themselves to complete a daily health check-in in case they need help.

The app also links to other contact-tracing resources and also provides Covid-19 update notifications.

It also has a nice reminder at the bottom of the homepage, advising people to remember to wash their hands often with soap.

User's data is kept securely on their phones. It will be stored for 31 days and then automatically deleted, according to the app.

"By signing up to this app, you're helping keep yourself and your family safer and supporting New Zealand to stop the spread of Covid-19," Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield is seen quoted on the website linked to the app.

"This will ensure we can all return to doing the things we enjoy as soon as possible."

This article was first published on the NZ Herald and is republished here with permission.