To support frontliners and first responders fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) along with DevCon Philippines has made RapidPass—a non-profit, virtual identification system that which makes use of QR code technology to provide faster and easier passage through checkpoints. This will also decongest the traffic that accumulates around the checkpoint and lessen the contact between personnel and frontliners.
According to DOST Secretary Fortunato de la Peña, RapidPass was approved by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) last Friday, Mar. 27 and was first tested in the Mandaluyong area.
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The COVID-19 checkpoints are a mandate under the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine, wherein people who are under strict home quarantine are not allowed to travel outside their cities. The IATF-EID has mandated that only frontliners and first responders, also considered as “Authorized Persons Outside of Residence,” are allowed to cross these checkpoints.
To create a personalized QR code through RapidPass, frontliners can simply register online and the QR code will be sent to them once approved. Stick the printed codes on car windows and the checkpoint personnel will scan it.
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The checkpoint personnel will be trained by the DevCon team, a non-profit organization of information technology practitioners. They will also be working with the Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines for field testing and operations deployment.
“The battle against COVID-19 has led to strict implementation of safety measures, leaving multiple checkpoints overwhelmed. This delays our frontliners, supply chain couriers, and priority vehicles,” the developers write on RapidPass’ social media.
For more information, visit their Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
Header photo courtesy of Fortunato de la Peña
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