Mon district launches NL-SOJO COVID exposure tracking app

Mon, April 25 (MExN): Given the unprecedented spread of COVID-19 globally and urgent need for tools to navigate the ongoing health crisis, District Administration, Mon has launched a mobile application ‘NL-SOJO COVID.’

 “The Mobile App will monitor the current, previous and future movements of people under observation for COVID-19. Additional features include tracking user locations and profiles, vital sign information, where people have last travelled and how they are progressing daily,” Deputy Commissioner Mon, Thavaseelan K IAS informed in a press note. 

NL-SOJO COVID Exposure Tracking is being adopted around the world, as a quick and simple way for local government and health authorities to keep track of health status, and exposure risk, within their communities, he said.

 Authorities are alerted when users go outside defined boundaries, during quarantine or lock down - a tactic that has successfully limited the spread of COVID-19, he added.

To make use of the app, users simply fill out a profile, with travel history, medical symptoms, vital signs, etc. They get instant alerts from authorities, map of test centres and hospitals, educational COVID-19 resources from official sources, and if enabled, view of last visited locations of infected individuals.

Communication includes receiving alerts about users' locations for compliance with local safety guidelines, sending mass messages, email and SMS emergency calls, the DC Mon added.

NL-SOJO COVID App is especially useful for monitoring:
•    Individuals in quarantine or lock down (at home or in hospital)
•    Medical and emergency personnel providing care
•    Employees in essential retail, grocery stores, and other high-exposure occupations
•    Recent travelers by air, rail, bus, etc.
•    Voluntary citizen opt-in

The application is available in the Google Play Store. Citizens can download the app and use directly from their smartphones. It will be available in the Apple iOS App store shortly, the DC informed.
The Mon District Administration has expressed gratitude to Ramakrishnan, IAS, Principal Secretary, Government of Nagaland for helping them to collaborate with Kishore Reddy of Sita Corp, USA for developing and deploying the App.