Italy Launches Pilot Operation of 'Korean-Style COVID Response App'

[Asia Economy Reporter Sung Kiho] Italy has begun a pilot operation of a Korean-style quarantine smartphone application to respond to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

According to local media, on the 1st (local time), the Italian health authorities started a pilot operation of the app in four regions: Liguria in the northwest, Abruzzo and Marche in the central area, and Puglia in the south.

The app, developed by a local venture company called 'Bending Spoons,' is Bluetooth-based and its basic operation method is similar to that of the Korean app.

When a citizen using the app is diagnosed with COVID-19, the app is designed to send warning messages to those who have been in contact with the citizen and advise self-quarantine or virus testing.

The Italian government did not make app installation mandatory and left it to the voluntary judgment of each citizen.

The authorities explained that the purpose of introducing the app was to focus on preventing the virus from spreading again after the gradual easing of lockdowns that began early last month.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.