COVID Alert app not yet fully functional in Saskatchewan

The federal government has launched a smartphone app to inform people when they’ve come in contact with someone who has tested positive with COVID-19 — but the app isn’t yet fully operational in Saskatchewan.

COVID Alert tracks the location of anyone else who has the app installed. If you were near someone who later tests positive for the virus, you’ll get a notification.

However, it’s only fully functional in Ontario right now.

Joyce Murray, the federal minister of digital government, joined The Brent Loucks Show to discuss the app and why it isn’t available nationally.

She explained that each province’s health authority must sign on to participate in the app. If they do, they will then provide a code to those who test positive, which will then send out the notification to anyone who came close them over the previous two weeks.

However, even though it’s not yet fully active, it can still have some use.

“If somebody from Ontario comes into Saskatchewan and they have the one-time code (that sends out a COVID notification) while they’re there or afterwards, you will find out that you may have been exposed to that person,” she explained.

It would also work if you travel to Ontario.

Murray sees a lot of potential in this app, and hopes to see it adopted nationwide.

“I see it as one tool in our toolbox as economies open and people begin to travel interprovincially. It’s about helping to prevent and contain outbreaks, which of course helps keep Canadians safer and healthier as restrictions are eased,” she said.

It launched on July 31 in Ontario. Since then, it has been adopted by many.

“As of Wednesday, 1.4 million people had downloaded it on their phone. I’m excited there has been that much interest,” she said.