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WHAT IS A COVIDCARD?
s
WHAT IS A COVIDCARD?
WHAT HAS BEEN DONE?
Using a Bluetooth-enabled
• A CovidCard is a Bluetooth-enabled card that automatically logs interactions
• The PPP have provided officials with their report on the feasibility of the cards
with other cards based on hardwired proximity parameters (a close contact
for contact tracing in New Zealand and assessment of other Bluetooth
CovidCard to support
algorithm).
solutions.
• A CovidCard would detect and record contacts, storing only the information
• These findings are based on extensive product development testing in
contact tracing
necessary for contact tracing. Personal details consisting primarily of
Waikato and a small-scale feasibility field trial at Nelson Hospital.
cardholder’s contact details would be stored in a database.
• The report recommended the national rollout of the CovidCard at an
• When a person tests positive, data is uploaded from the card. Human contact
estimated cost of $98.5 million in the first year and $64 million in the second
July 2020
tracers would access contact details from the card and identify close contacts
year.
to notify them that they may have been exposed. Close contacts can then
• The PPP recommend that the Government consider deploying the CovidCard
1
WHY INVESTIGATE A COVIDCARD?
isolate themselves and public health authorities can follow up with these
in advance of relaxing border settings.
people, including doing any necessary testing.
• Effective contact tracing is a critical component of the
strategy to isolate COVID-19 in New Zealand, by
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WHAT DOES THE INITIAL WORK SHOW?
identifying close contacts, isolating them quickly, and
stopping the spread of the virus.
ADVANTAGES
DISADVANTAGES
Technology can support manual tracing
• Digital technology can complement contact tracing by
• The CovidCard could complement manual tracing, making contact tracing
• The CovidCard is still an unproven high-cost technology, with Government
speeding up the process, filling in memory gaps, and
faster and more accurate.
likely to have to bear the costs to encourage high uptake.
• The CovidCard is designed for contact tracing, so it does not have the
• Large-scale distribution effort would be needed for the CovidCard to be
recording contact with strangers. It could also allow
restrictions on use of Bluetooth function of some mobile phones.
effective and there is a long implementation time (5-6 months). If deployment
contact tracers to access information more rapidly,
• Individuals would not require a smartphone or app skills to use the
is targeted, then this could happen more quickly.
which can improve the chances of self-isolating
potential cases of COVID-
CovidCard, making it accessible to everyone.
• There is uncertainty about whether New Zealanders would wear the
19 quickly.
• The CovidCard does not collect location data.
CovidCard as intended (on a lanyard), or at all.
• A Bluetooth-enabled device can automatically detect
• As with all new contact tracing technology, the CovidCard and associated
when it is close to another Bluetooth-enabled device.
systems would need to be incorporated into existing contact tracing systems.
A Bluetooth solution that automatical y registers
• CovidCards are designed to last 12 months.
contacts may be the easiest solution for individuals
• Like apps, the CovidCard has limitations in its ability to accurately measure
where it only requires minimal steps by the user.
distance, which may provide false positives that will need to be dealt with.
• Other countries are using Bluetooth mobile apps, an
• Unlike an app, the CovidCard cannot be upgraded once deployed.
approach that should not be ruled out, but has
chal enges. These include achieving uptake and
restrictions on some phones’ Bluetooth function that
4
NEXT STEPS
limit the effectiveness of apps. Apps based on the new
Google-Apple exposure notification framework
Further investigation on CovidCard feasibility
provides a privacy-centric solution that could be used
• A technical independent review of the PPP’s report is underway to complete the proof of concept work regarding the technology. This involves the Defence
to notify people that they may have been in contact
Technology Agency (DTA), National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and Ministry of Health (MoH).
with a Covid-19 positive case.
• Options for an expanded trial of the CovidCard are being investigated to confirm that they work as intended at a level of scale, along with examination of the value of
• The Ministry of Health is leading the assessment of
the information collected for contact tracing, and its epidemiological benefit.
Bluetooth apps for contact tracing.
• The GCDO is leading the completion of this proof of concept work. DIA are aiming to complete this by late July 2020.
Work on implementation options
Officials are investigating a Bluetooth-enabled CovidCard
• Further progress on this work is dependent on the outcome of the proof of concept work.
• As directed by Cabinet, the Government Chief Digital
• In parallel, MBIE will lead the development of design options for implementing the CovidCard. This will include policy settings, any legislative changes, any
Officer (GCDO) has worked with the Public Private
governance arrangements that would be required, and consideration of operational deployment. It will also include ensuring adequate privacy and security controls
Partnership group (PPP) to investigate a Bluetooth-
are in place to protect personal information in the central database.
enabled CovidCard to support contact tracing.
• Following proof of concept, the PPP wil undertake further product development, including the development of algorithms to determine close contacts and manage
• The main purpose of introducing the CovidCard would
power usage in the cards.
be to improve contact tracing so New Zealand can
• MBIE are currently leading a second phase of work which involves advice on whether to proceed with CovidCard and how to implement it.
manage the risk of an outbreak without needing to go
• If Ministers decide to proceed with the CovidCard, MBIE would lead implementation.
into higher alert levels.
• Work is also underway to provide advice on what a small-town trial would look like, including options for implementation.