While most countries around the world have their own COVID-19 tracking apps, some have made theirs compulsory for travellers, locals and residents. So which are the must-have apps for anyone who's looking to travel overseas amid the pandemic?
Travel Pass
Many airlines, including British Airways, Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines and Air New Zealand, have already committed to introducing the Travel Pass app developed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). This application should serve as a health passport, allowing you to record your COVID-19 status, including your PCR test before and after the trip and your vaccination details. The data will be sent directly to the airline with which you are travelling. This aims at facilitating travel and entry formalities. Travel Pass also allows you to get the latest updates on travel conditions and entry restrictions worldwide.
CommonPass
Developed in Switzerland, CommonPass is an initiative of The Commons Project with the collaboration of the World Economic Forum. This app allows travellers to record their COVID-19 status, including their health declaration, their PCR test results, and their COVID-19 vaccination, to know whether they satisfy entry requirements in different countries. This app is expected to serve as a universal travel pass. It comprises a directory of registered medical laboratories and generates a QR code which will be required upon arrival in your host country, without disclosing confidential information.
Re-Open EU
This app is useful for travellers within the European Union. Re-Open EU gives an overview of the COVID-19 situation in all EU countries gathered from the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control data in 24 languages. It allows you to follow the situation in your country and the country you wish to travel to and provides the latest updates on travel restrictions in place, including entry requirements, mandatory tests and quarantine.
ArriveCan and Covid Alert in Canada
If you're planning to relocate to Canada, ArriveCan and Covid Alert are two essential apps. Newcomers to Canada are required to provide their contact and travel information through ArriveCan. They must also indicate their quarantine plan and upload their health declaration on this app. Returning Canadians are also required to download ArriveCan. Meanwhile, Covid Alert is an anonymous contact-tracing app. For example, you will receive a notification when you spend at least 15 minutes at less than 2 meters from a person.
LeaveHomeSafe in Hong Kong
Since February 18, Hong Kong made the government app LeaveHomeSafe mandatory. When visiting restaurants or other public places, users are required to scan the establishment's QR code or enter their contact details to check whether the place is safe to enter. Taxis can also be scanned thanks to a yellow plaque located inside the door. The app also allows you to record your COVID-19 status and receive notifications when an infected person is around.
NHS COVID-19 in the UK
If you are about to travel to the UK, consider downloading the NHS COVID-19 app. It's worth noting that by early February, more than 1.7 million users had been notified to self-isolate after being in contact with infected people. The app lets you know within 15 minutes, whether you have been in contact with a person who tested positive. It also allows you to scan the QR code of a number of establishments, including businesses, public transport and other locations, to determine if they are safe.
COVID19 - DXB Smart App in Dubai
Before travelling to Dubai, make sure to download the COVID19 - DXB Smart App. This app provides not only information on COVID-19 symptoms but also personalised prevention and treatment advice. The UAE strongly recommends downloading this application to receive the latest real-time updates but also to keep away from fake news.
Tawakkalna in Saudi Arabia
Initially, Tawakkalna was an app that kept people updated on the progress of the pandemic in Saudi Arabia. But today, Tawakkalna is essential for entering and living in the country. It also allows you to update your COVID-19 and vaccination status and almost serves as a health passport. Also, to access public places, including shops, shopping malls, supermarkets, bars and restaurants, etc., you are required to scan their QR code.
Ehteraz in Qatar
This app has been mandatory in Qatar since its launch in May 2020. Regardless of the reason why you're leaving your residence, you're required to have Ehteraz installed on your smartphone. Before entering public places, including banks, shops, offices, hypermarkets, etc., the app must indicate a green signal. New features have recently been introduced to the app, including vaccination status and home quarantine.
NZ COVID Tracer in New Zealand
The New Zealand government is looking to make the NZ COVID Tracer app mandatory. According to local authorities, the number of users dropped from 2 million to 465,000 in January. To better fight the pandemic, Kiwis and expatriates are requested to download this app, which brings the latest COVID-19 updated and allows them to scan the QR code of businesses, public establishments and other places they go to see whether they are safe. New Zealand is about to add bars, restaurants, and big events where social distancing cannot be observed to the list of places where the QR codes have to be scanned.
Australia
In recent weeks, many Australian states have made their COVID-19 apps mandatory. In Canberra, for example, residents are required to have the Check-In CBR app to scan the QR code of places like companies, shops, cafes, restaurants, bars, cultural institutions, gyms and a range of leisure facilities. Those who live in Western Australia have to download the SafeWA app, a must-have for entering most places, including public and private hospitals, restaurants and bars, nature and recreation parks, etc.
