The Federal Government’s new COVIDSafe smartphone application is a critical step forward to save lives and better protect our community against the spread of coronavirus. 

The app will provide accurate information that will speed up the process of identifying people who have been in close contact with someone diagnosed with coronavirus. 

Participation is voluntary.

Gippsland East Nationals MP Tim Bull said downloading the app would get us one step closer to getting back to normal life.

“I have downloaded the app because I think it is a step towards returning to some level of normality as better contact tracing will make it possible to quickly identify people who have come into contact with someone who’s tested positive for coronavirus,” said Mr Bull.

“Boosted contact tracing will mean outbreaks can be quickly identified and contained and give confidence that we can keep our community safe with relaxed restrictions.”

Information collected in the app cannot be accessed unless, and until, a person is diagnosed with COVID-19. 

Once the person who has tested positive agrees and uploads the data, it will only be accessed by the relevant state or territory public health officials.

The App can be downloaded from the App stores. For more information visit www.health.gov.au/resources/apps-and-tools/covidsafe-app

Caption: Local MP Tim Bull, has chosen to download the COVIDSafe app to assist contact tracing and protect against the spread of coronavirus.