Canada on Friday July 31 again extended the closure of its borders, except to the Americans, and announced the launch of its mobile contact tracing application to contain the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
The border with the United States, the country most bereaved by the pandemic, has been closed to non-essential travel since March 21 and must remain so until August 20.
The compulsory quarantine and isolation measure on entry into the country is effective until August 31. In addition, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that it was possible since Friday morning July 31 to download the mobile contact tracing application aimed at tracking the spread of the pandemic.
“I downloaded the app myself earlier this morning and I encourage you to do the same today across the country.“, he declared at a press conference.
Downloading this free application, developed in partnership with the Canadian companies Shopify (e-commerce) and BlackBerry, is voluntary. This technology called “Covid Alert” is available across the country but is currently only connected to the Ontario health system.
“The other provinces will soon follow“, he said. The application will alert users who have been in contact with someone who tested positive for the virus.”The application does not collect your name, address, geolocation or personal information“said Mr. Trudeau.
The federal and Ontario privacy commissioners have indicated their support for the application. “Canadians can choose to use this technology, knowing that it comes with very important privacy protections.“said Daniel Therrien, Canada’s Privacy Commissioner, who said he would use it himself.
Applications of this type, already launched in several dozen countries, have raised concerns about respect for privacy. On Friday July 31, Canada recorded 116,300 cases of coronavirus and 8,900 deaths.
APS / VNA / CVN
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