Coronavirus: New app to detect fake SafePasses

The deputy ministry of technology said on Tuesday that is has made available an app allowing the public and businesses to verify the validity of the EU digital covid certificate (EUDCC) for domestic use.

CovScan Cyprus can be used on any Android smart device (later versions than 8.1) and is available free on Google Play (https://play.google.com/)

The app checks the validity by scanning the QR code on the EUDCC (in print or electronic form). There are three possible results: green which means the certificate is valid and the holder has been vaccinated or has recovered from Covid-19, yellow which means that the certificate is valid, and that the holder has undergone a PCR or rapid test with a negative result and finally, red which means the certificate is not valid.

The deputy ministry reminded that as regards the EU digital covid certificate in Cyprus, the vaccination certificate is valid for one year from the date of the first dose, the certificate of recovery is valid for six months from the date of the first positive result and the PCR or antigen test is valid for 72 hours from the time the test was carried out.

The app shows only the name and date of birth of the holder of the certificate and no personal data or history of checks is stored either temporarily or permanently, it added.

“Use of this valuable tool is expected to contribute decisively to protecting public health and to the smooth, and above all, safe return to conditions of normality,” the deputy ministry added.

In an accompanying Q&A, the deputy ministry said than in the event a certificate is scanned and found to be invalid, then holders must issue a new one on https://www.eudcc.gov.cy/, making sure the data is correct.

In case of difficulty in issuing a digital certificate, members of the public can send an email to [email protected]  or call 1474 for Cyprus numbers or +357 22285757 for foreign numbers and for calls from abroad.