Over the weekend, new cases of Covid-19 were being reported at popular and crowded places such as NU Sentral, Suria KLCC, Sunway Pyramid and KL Gateway Mall. Each of these establishments have released an official statement regarding these cases on their social media but there’s no statement advising the public who went to these places to go get tested so everyone’s confused on what to do on their part.

This issue has been blowing up on social media over the weekend and netizens have been criticising the MySejahtera app for its tracing and alert feature. Basically people are beginning to wonder if these features actually work because why were they not alerted or informed of these cases through the app? Instead, everyone found out through social media.

When MySejahtera was first introduced, we were told that the app would do more than just let us into buildings. The public should be able to find out if there are Covid-19 cases reported within a 1km radius of a searched location in the last 28 days by using the ‘Hotspot Tracker’ function in the MySejahtera application.

If you open the app now and search the locations of these reported cases, there is still no update. How long will it take for the app to update the reports and how reliable is the information given? Netizens have tweeted their concerns on Twitter:

KLCC confirmed got one case. But MySejahtera apps also not alert me when I check in everyday to work. Then I went to hotspot tracker and insert the name of place. This is the result. So? Late or memang no info? pic.twitter.com/l0yel4CCW1

— نيكي (@NikeSazdli_) September 28, 2020

https://twitter.com/izwanshahmin/status/1310218623756070912?s=20

Netizens’ concerns and criticisms are understandable as they’re worried for their health and safety but some also say it’s not necessarily MySejahtera’s fault in this whole thing. We as the public should be more active in manually searching up these locations to find out the risks before visiting. We can’t afford to be too comfortable now.

So other than government officials and tracing technology, every individual must do their part in staying safe and that means being more aware of our own health, avoid crowded areas, wear masks and stay sanitised as much as possible. If you’re sick, please avoid going out. If you suspect to have symptoms, go to your nearest health facility to get checked. If you test positive, please stay quarantined until you are well.

(UPDATED)

After reaching out to MySejahtera, here is what they have to say regarding the issue and any confusion:

“Kindly be informed that the hotspot tracker feature will highlight if there are any confirmed case within 1km for <14 days, and 14-28 days.

The hotspot tracker information is based on the possible area of contraction of Covid-19. The areas are based on possible contracting areas, not where someone is diagnosed. 

The hotspot locations will be updated 1 day following confirmation of a Covid-19 case, after MOH team has performed the necessary investigations.  MoH infographic is for hotspot based on number of cases. While MySejahtera’s hotspot tracker is if there is a contracted zone nearby.”

So there you have it folks. Whatever the case, please take care of yourselves and each other and if you want to know on how the app’s tracing/tracking feature works, you can read more here .