Ireland’s contact-tracing app is set to be linked with those of Germany and Italy within weeks in an attempt to allow for easier and safer travel between EU countries during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Irish Times understands. They can then be alerted if someone they were in contact with abroad has tested positive, even if that person is themselves using the contact-tracing app of a different country. Just 15 per cent of smartphone users have downloaded the apps in Germany and Italy. In order to be linked up to the pan-EU system, apps must be designed to abide by European data protection laws. Once users receive a positive test and register this in the app, their contacts will be alerted that someone to whom they were in proximity has tested positive.

Source: The Irish Times September 29, 2020 13:52 UTC