Rwanda Notify

Rwanda Notify is a bluetooth-powered contact tracing application provided by the Rwanda Ministry of Health and configured by QT Global Software. Rwanda Notify gives you the power to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Rwanda and to keep yourself, your loved ones and everyone else safe.

The app is free and available to anyone based in Rwanda.

Using the app is easy. All you have to do is:

- Download it

- Enable notifications and Bluetooth on your device

- Let the app run in the background

- Encourage your friends and family to do the same.  

Your identity will always remain private. The app will take care of the rest and notify you if you have been at risk of exposure.

How does Rwanda Notify work?

Rwanda Notify uses Bluetooth signals to exchange what are called “random codes” (random numbers that change every so often) with other smart phone app users, when they come within close proximity of each other. It’s like the devices have given each other a digital handshake. The random codes exchanged at the time of “digital hand-shaking” are stored in a log on each phone for 14 days.

Then;

1. If you test positive for COVID-19, you can choose to report yourself as positive in the app, as well as verify your identity in the app. Remember - you always remain anonymous. You’ll also get advice on what to do next to manage your health and to self-isolate.

2. The app will ask you for permission to share random codes stored on your phone with a central server.

3. Other smartphones using the Rwanda Notify app check the central server periodically, throughout the day. Those devices that have random codes on record matching the codes shared to the central server by your device, will receive a notification that the device user (anonymously) has had potential exposure to COVID-19 over the prior 14 days. And, there’s plenty of advice on what to do next to monitor symptoms, self-quarantine and get tested if necessary. 

Maintaining your privacy:

QT Global Software takes your privacy and confidentiality very seriously. Apple and Google's framework is designed to avoid connecting any personal data and location information with the random identifiers that devices exchange. For Rwanda Notify to work, your identity and/or location do not need to be known. If you are close enough to another app user, your device's Bluetooth system will exchange random identifiers with that user and that is enough to gather information about possible COVID-19 exposure.

Laboratory results for people who test positive for COVID-19 are sent to Rwanda’s health institutions and that is not associated with the Rwanda Notify app.

Rwanda Notify will allow you to verify your identity in order to self-report a positive test, using a verification code. You must use that code in order to report a positive result to the app. This prevents people from falsely reporting positive results, which could generate false exposure notifications. It is very important that all app users feel confident that when a possible COVID-19 exposure is received via the app, it is a real event.

By joining this app, you’re becoming a member of a powerful community of people who want to work together to stay safe, save lives and ten COVID-19 in our beautiful country! 

Join the Rwanda Notify community today, the power is in your hands.