SafeEntry is a national check-in system which enables Singaporean authorities to log visitors at various locations during the COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore.

History

Developed by GovTech,[1] SafeEntry was first trialled 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, eateries, and even taxis.[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 key locations where crowds would form, such as workspaces, healthcare facilities, schools, malls, and hotels.[6][7]

Design

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
  2. Scanning a generated SafeEntry QR code, unique to each location,[1] using either:
    1. a generic barcode scanner app; or[a]
    2. SingPass mobile app; or[b]
    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 device or mobile devices with TraceTogether (Business) mobile app in operation.[8]

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

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.[9]

Notes

  1. ^ To be deprecated.[8]
  2. ^ To be deprecated.[8]

References

  1. ^ a b "SafeEntry's Development Story". www.tech.gov.sg. Retrieved 2021-05-13.
  2. ^ a b "Thinner crowds at 4 wet markets with restricted entry; NEA says IC requirement to be enforced from Apr 24". CNA. Retrieved 2021-05-13.
  3. ^ "Customers advised to bring NRIC to enter shopping malls, supermarkets: Enterprise Singapore". CNA. Retrieved 2021-05-13.
  4. ^ a b "COVID-19: SafeEntry digital check-in system deployed to more than 16,000 venues | Video". CNA. Retrieved 2021-05-13.
  5. ^ "SafeEntry digital check-outs not compulsory, but encouraged by authorities | Video". CNA. Retrieved 2021-05-13.
  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 2021-05-13.
  8. ^ a b c Oh, Tessa (22 April 2021). "SafeEntry check-in via only TraceTogether app or token to start from June 1 at high-traffic venues".
  9. ^ "MOH | News Highlights". www.moh.gov.sg. Retrieved 2021-05-13.