Health Report Launch of NZ COVID Tracer mobile app.pdf

Health Report
Launch of NZ COVID Tracer mobile app

Date due to MO: 15 May 2020
Action required by:
N/A
Security level:
IN CONFIDENCE
Health Report number: 20200769
To:
Hon Dr David Clark, Minister of Health
Copies:
Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister

Contact for telephone discussion
released
Name
Position
Telephone
s. 9(2)(a)
Darren Douglass
Group Manager, Digital Strategy and
Investment
Paul Giles
Group Manager, Communications and
Engagement

Action for Private Secretaries
Return the signed report to the Ministry of Health.

Date dispatched to MO:
15 May 2020

Proactively

Launch of NZ COVID Tracer mobile app
Purpose of report
1.
This report provides information about the upcoming launch of the NZ COVID Tracer
mobile app. Talking points to support the launch are attached as Appendix A.
Background / context
2.
The Ministry of Health has developed the NZ COVID Tracer mobile app to help improve
contact tracing in New Zealand.
3.
NZ COVID Tracer is designed to support, rather than replace, existing contact tracing
processes, which are led by the National Close Contact Service (NCCS) and Public
Health Units.
4.
In the initial release on or after 20 May 2020, NZ COVID Tracer will allow New
Zealanders to create a digital diary of the places they’ve been by scanning QR codes at
businesses and other locations. It will also allow app users to register their contact
information through NZ COVID Tracer so NCCS contact tracers can quickly get in touch
if needed.
released
5.
From 18 May 2020 any business or organisation with a New Zealand Business Number
will be able to generate a QR code poster through the Ministry of Business, Innovation
and Employment’s (MBIE) Business Connect service.
6.
The Ministry will also release a website on or after 20 May 2020. This will allow New
Zealanders who don’t want to use the NZ COVID Tracer mobile app, or are unable to do
so, to register their contact information with the NCCS.
7.
The Ministry is working in partnership with other contact tracing app developers. In
May 2020 the Ministry of Health will release data specifications to allow developers of
other contact tracing apps to use the NZ COVID Tracer QR codes and provide contact
tracing data to the Ministry.
8.
The uptake and effectiveness of the NZ COVID Tracer mobile app has a high
dependency on businesses and other organisations deciding to display QR code
posters at their premises.
9.
An update to NZ COVID Tracer is scheduled for release in June 2020. This will allow
contact tracers to notify app users if they have signed into a location at a similar time
as someone who has COVID-19 and will allow a user to send their digital diary directly
to the NCCS if they are identified as a close contact. The update will also allow app
users in isolation or quarantine to complete daily health check-ins.
10.
The Ministry is assessing potential future improvements to NZ COVID Tracer and will
Proactively
release updates, subject to Cabinet approval, as new functions are added. Future
improvements could include support for Maori, Chinese and Pacific languages and
support for older devices and operating systems. Further enhancements to support
equity of access such as sponsored data will also be considered.

Health Report: <20200769>
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released
Proactively

  All New Zealanders and visitors understand the importance of contact tracing
  All businesses and public-facing organisations display QR posters to encourage
customers to use the NZ COVID Tracer app, and to maximise the utility of the app
  s 9(2)(g)(i)

  New Zealanders who choose not to use the app update their contact information
with the web app and keep records of where they’ve been and who they’ve seen.
24.
Communications and marketing activity can commence on or after 18 May 2020,
following the launch of the platform on MBIE Business Connect that will allow
businesses and organisations to generate NZ COVID Tracer QR code posters. The initial
focus would be on driving business uptake of the QR code posters.
25.
While the launch of the NZ COVID Tracer mobile app will be signalled on or after 18
May 2020, the communications and marketing campaign for the app will commence on
or after 20 May 2020.
26.
Communications will carefully manage expectations about the NZ COVID Tracer app
and set out a clear timeframe for enhancements to functionality, with activity timed to
coincide with key milestones such as the release of new features.
27.
Communications will:
released
  Ensure the public understands their privacy and data will be protected and will not
be used for enforcement purposes.
  Be designed to raise public awareness and drive uptake of NZ COVID Tracer.

Carefully use the daily COVID-19 media stand-up to maximise media coverage
  Be diverse, inclusive and accessible to a wide range of New Zealander and visitors.
  Enlist key influencers to help promote NZ COVID Tracer

Include NZ COVID Tracer walkthroughs with selected media and public health
experts
  Take a health-led communications approach with direct support from the AOG
COVID-19 campaign and MBIE (QR codes) to ensure clear and consistent
messaging across all channels.
28.
Communications and marketing channels will include:
  Announcements at daily COVID-19 media stand-ups
  Media releases

Advertising through television, radio, print and social media
  Direct emails to key business sector organisations
Proactively
  Engagement with public health experts and other influencers

The health.govt.nz, covid19.govt.nz and mbie.govt.nz websites
  MOH and MBIE contact centres
  Director-General of Health stakeholder updates

Health Report: <20200769>
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Recommendations
The Ministry recommends that you:
a) Note that the NZ COVID Tracer mobile app will be released on or after 20 May
2020
b) Note that a platform for businesses to generate NZ COVID Tracer QR code
posters will be released from 18 May 2020
c) Note that there is an opportunity for the Government to clarify that use of NZ
COVID Tracer meets contact tracing requirements for business
d) Note the communications and marketing approach for NZ COVID Tracer
e) Note the talking points set out in Appendix A
released
Shayne Hunter
Hon Dr David Clark
Deputy Director-General
Minister of Health
Data and Digital
Date:
Proactively
Appendix A is withheld under section 9(2)(g)(i)
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