Public health guidelines should feature in COVID Tracker App

The COVID-19 Tracker App should be expanded to help inform people of the updated guidelines designed to keep the pandemic under control in Ireland, a Fine Gael Senator has said.

Senator Emer Currie is raising the issue with the Oireachtas Committee on COVID-19.

Senator Currie said: “The COVID Tracker App was recently upgraded to include additional real-time information on cases, hospital admissions, the numbers in intensive care amongst other things. It was really positive to see the App expanded in this way, but I think we can go further and ensure the App is an even more useful tool in the fight against this pandemic.

“The App would be a great place to feature the latest public health guidelines we are all following to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. Everyone has been doing their best to follow the guidelines, but it would be great if the App served as a handy place where people could check in and remind themselves of the latest updates.

“For example, the App could include a separate tab featuring public health guidelines with visual infographics summarising different scenarios like house visits, out socialising, indoor and outdoor events and public transport. When people are unsure of the guidelines the information is only a tap away.

“My suggestion has already received a favourable reaction from my colleague the Tánaiste, Leo Varadkar when I raised it with him. I am now writing to my Oireachtas colleagues who sit on the COVID-19 Committee asking them to consider the options for this. It is my hope that together we can bring the matter to the attention of the HSE and expand the use of this very valuable App.”