SafeEntry

SafeEntry logo

SafeEntry is a national check-in system which enables the logging of visitors at various locations during the COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore, allowing health authorities to track and isolate confirmed clusters. It is being used in tandem with TraceTogether, the national contact tracing platform in Singapore.

History

Developed by GovTech,[1] SafeEntry was first trialed at the Geylang Serai Market after entries to four wet markets were restricted on 24 April 2020.[2] Patrons had to scan the barcode on their National Registration Identity Card with it, officers were stationed to limit entry to 300 people at a time.[2] The system was subsequently rolled out to other locations such as supermarkets,[3] shopping malls and food outlets.[4] By 9 May 2020, the system was deployed to more than 16,000 locations.[4] Although check-in by visitors were not compulsory but encouraged,[5] on 12 May 2020 the deployment of the system was mandatory at all locations where public has access to, with the exception of private homes.[6][7]

On 22 April 2021, the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Smart Nation and Digital Government Group (SNDGG) announced that TraceTogether will be mandatory for checking in to various venues and events from 1 June onwards.[8] This was subsequently brought forward to 17 May 2021 in a later announcement on 4 May, in response to a recent spike in community cases.[9] Other methods of checking in – scanning the SafeEntry QR codes with a different QR mobile app, or using the SingPass app – will be discontinued,[10] while the use of identification cards will be allowed only until 31 May 2021.[9]

Design

Two forms of the SafeEntry check-in system; left by token and app, right by QR code.

The check-in system allows a visitor to be logged into a centralised database, managed by the Singapore authorities, the locations they have visited, by the following means upon entry:

  1. Scanning of the barcode on their National Registration Identity Card; or[lower-alpha 1]
  2. Scanning a generated SafeEntry QR code, unique to each location,[1] using either:
    1. a generic barcode scanner app; or[lower-alpha 2]
    2. SingPass mobile app; or[lower-alpha 3]
    3. TraceTogether mobile app
  3. Scanning of the barcode on TraceTogether token; or
  4. Tapping the TraceTogether token against either a fixed TraceTogether-SafeEntry Gateway check-in device or mobile devices with TraceTogether (Business) mobile app in operation.[11]

The system also offers the ability to check out upon exiting a location through similar manner.[12]

Authorities will then retrieve the logged data from the database when there is a need to track potential close contacts of suspected or confirmed infected cases. A public portal was launched on 10 September 2020 to allow the public to check if they have been in close proximity with confirmed cases based on their SafeEntry records.[13]

Notes

  1. ↑ To be discontinued after 31 May 2021 at certain locations[9]
  2. ↑ To be discontinued after 17 May 2021 at certain locations[9]
  3. ↑ To be discontinued after 17 May 2021 at certain locations[9]

References

  1. 1 2 "SafeEntry's Development Story". www.tech.gov.sg. Retrieved 13 May 2021.
  2. 1 2 "Thinner crowds at 4 wet markets with restricted entry; NEA says IC requirement to be enforced from Apr 24". CNA. Retrieved 13 May 2021.
  3. ↑ "Customers advised to bring NRIC to enter shopping malls, supermarkets: Enterprise Singapore". CNA. Retrieved 13 May 2021.
  4. 1 2 "COVID-19: SafeEntry digital check-in system deployed to more than 16,000 venues | Video". CNA. Retrieved 13 May 2021.
  5. ↑ "SafeEntry digital check-outs not compulsory, but encouraged by authorities | Video". CNA. Retrieved 13 May 2021.
  6. ↑ "Places where SafeEntry must be deployed from 12 May 2020" (PDF).{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. ↑ "MOH | News Highlights". www.moh.gov.sg. Retrieved 13 May 2021.
  8. ↑ Low, Zoey (22 April 2021). "TraceTogether-only SafeEntry required from Jun 1 at all higher-risk venues". CNA. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 "Mandatory TraceTogether-only SafeEntry brought forward to May 17". CNA. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  10. ↑ Low, Zoey (22 April 2021). "TraceTogether-only SafeEntry required from Jun 1 at all higher-risk venues". CNA. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  11. ↑ Oh, Tessa (22 April 2021). "SafeEntry check-in via only TraceTogether app or token to start from June 1 at high-traffic venues".
  12. ↑ "SafeEntry Gateway check-out boxes to be rolled out at malls, other high footfall venues". CNA. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  13. ↑ "MOH | News Highlights". www.moh.gov.sg. Retrieved 13 May 2021.
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