The local government of Valenzuela City is getting ahead at the contact tracing race by implementing a "No QR code, no entry" policy in establishments starting Oct. 5.
Residents will just have to pull up their unique QR code on the ValTrace app, a contact-tracing mobile application meant for Valenzuela City's residents and merchants. This move will eliminate the need for residents to fill up printed forms and worry over passing the virus via pen and paper.
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"Pag papasok ka sa isang establisyimento, isa-scan na lang ‘yon, thereby number one, hindi ka na magwo-worry kung 'yung ballpen na ginamit mo ay na-sanitize," Mayor Rex Gatchalian told GMA's 24 Oras.
(When you enter the establishment, you just have to scan that, thereby number one, you don't have to worry if the ballpen you used has been sanitized.)
It's faster than the old way, and since information is stored digitally, Gatchalian assured the public that their information would not be lying around as they could when paper forms are used.
All of the information gathered will be kept in a database at the city's centralized mega contact tracing center. The implementation of this scheme was orginally supposed to start on Nov. 16, but was bumped up at the request of the city's contact tracers.
Any establishment that fails to follow the new rule could have their license revoked and face closure, undergo community service, or pay fines. Customers who violate the new policy could be fined up to P5,000.
Valenzuela is currently conducting orientations for contact tracers before ValTrace app's city-wide rollout next month.
