Amid the debate over privacy concerns,Ā Delhi governmentĀ has issued orders to makeĀ Aarogya SetuĀ mobile application popular among factory andĀ construction workersĀ returning to work after six weeks of lockdown.
The guidelines issued by various districts following Delhi governmentās detailed order on relaxation in lockdown to revive economic activities have made it mandatory for industries andĀ constructionĀ companies to ensure that theĀ workersĀ download theĀ appĀ on their phones as a preventive measure against the spread ofĀ Covid-19.
Among other features, the application alerts the user if s/he comes in close contact with a person tested positive for Covid-19. The user, however, will have to keep the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi of his phone turned on all the time.
Though the installation of the app has not been made mandatory for the entire population, the Centre has already made it a must for its employees returning to workplaces.
The guidelines by the ministry of home affairs on the movement of migrants, tourists, pilgrims and students stuck in various states and going back through special trains and buses arranged by the governments also state that the people desirous of going back to their hometowns should also be āencouraged to use Aarogya Setu app through which theirĀ healthĀ status can be monitored and trackedā.
In a separate order last week, the government had directed all district magistrates and deputy commissioners of police to make every person living in the containment zone aware of the benefits of Aarogya Setu and encourage them to download and use the app.
āAll the industrial workers/employees have to download the Aarogya Setu app in their mobiles. The factory manager shall file details of the employees having mobile phones and the mobile app downloaded,ā stated the guidelines issued by the district administrations to industries and construction firms.
The government has made it clear that any violation of the directive will attract penalties.
