The Royal Government of Bhutan has recently released the QR Code App developed by the G2C Bhutan. This is a very useful App that can help rapid contact tracing, should that become necessary.
The App can be downloaded and installed from:
All the instructions for installing and use are given on the site.
This is a very useful App that every one must download and use. It is good for the user and it is good for the establishments that display the QR Code. It can save lives and help contain the coronavirus.
The print out of the QR Code that I am distributing to some. The need to insert the location address is very cumbersome. You are welcome to download and use it - the resolution is high enough for a clear and sharp print out. You can erase the address and insert your own.
My contribution to society: Print outs of QR Codes in self-adhesive A-4 size Reprobond paper that I am distributing to friends and neighbors free of cost.
Unfortunately the Druk Trace App needs some more work:
ONE
The Health Ministry must insist that every one download it and use it – individuals and establishments. It must require that the establishments insist that the visitors scan the QR Code – before allowing entry into the establishment. Doing so will result in safety of the visitors as well as the establishments’ workers.
TWO
The instruction does not say that a visitor to an establishment MUST SCAN EVERY TIME the person enters the establishment. Some might believe that since they had already done the scan during their earlier visit, that there is no need for repeat scan. This would be wrong. The idea is that the scan must record a person’s specific location by time and date – in order that the authorities can narrow down to specific locations – should rapid contact tracing becomes necessary.
THREE
The App does not seem to be currently able to capture the geographical coordinates of locations, which is a serious drawback. As a result every location has to be recorded individually on the QR Code printout. This is too much work and very expensive. Even worst, it will not be simple to find the locations as fast as it would be if it were possible to capture and record coordinates while scanning the QR Code. Use of GPS to track the coordinates will be far more efficient.
FOUR
In my opinion the Druk Trace App is a vitally critical preventive measure instituted by the government in its efforts towards containing the coronavirus. Thus the requirement for individuals with the means to download and scan should be rigidly enforced. One careless and irresponsible individual can undo all that we have achieved so far. It is a safety measure that must be made mandatory.
As my personal contribution to complement the efforts of the government, I am printing the QR Codes and distributing to my neighbors and establishments that I frequent and the offices and outlets around the Rotary office. But it is not possible to print QR Codes with individual locations – if the App can record the geographical coordinates then it will be possible to print in bulk and distribute to homes and establishments.
FIVE
The App currently does not work on iPhones - the G2C Bhutan needs to work on this immediately.
FIVE
The App currently does not work on iPhones - the G2C Bhutan needs to work on this immediately.
PUBLIC MISGIVINGS
There appears to be a notion in the minds of some people that scanning the QR Code is an infringement on individual privacy. A home owner bluntly told me; “Why should I let the government know who is visiting me?” There is a need for the government to assure the people that the information is secure with them and that it WILL NOT BE USED for any other purpose than for the specific purpose of rapid contact tracing.