True to its promise, the Government of Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Health Authority have made the COVID alert app available to Saskatchewan residents starting September 18. The app allows participants to receive digital COVID-19 exposure alerts.

In its release, the province’s Health Minister, Jim Reiter, outlined the procedures residents need to continue to follow.

“As more activities head indoors, Saskatchewan residents should continue following public health guidelines to prevent COVID-19 transmission and protect friends and family. Wash your hands frequently, ensure you can name every contact in your virtual household, maintain physical distancing and wear a mask when you cannot. The COVID alert app is yet another tool residents have to stay safe during this pandemic.”

The national COVID Alert app uses Bluetooth technology to detect when users are near each other. If a user tests positive for COVID-19, they can choose to let other users know about potential exposure risk without sharing any personal information.If you test positive for COVID-19 you will be provided a one-time key from public health upon notification of your status.

Enter the key into the app and it will notify other app users who have been within two metres of you for at least 15 minutes over a 24-hour period within the last 14 days.Subscribers who receive this exposure alert can assess their risk and seek testing.All aspects of the app are completely voluntary.

The COVID Alert app does not collect personal information or health data, and does not know or track the location, name, address or contacts of any user.

Contact investigations by authorized health officials will continue, and those individuals not using the app will still receive notifications in the events there are positive test results or necessary notifications.