Coronavirus: Tweaks to CovScan app after erratic first day

Any technical adjustments needed for the CovScan application will be carried out, deputy minister Kyriacos Kokkinos said on the Tuesday, after local application to verify EUDCC certificates ran into sporadic problems on the first day of the trial period.

The application is available for free only for later versions of Android smart devices 8.1. But there were complaints of problems on Monday, leaving businesses unable to conduct electronic checks on  some of their customers.

According to the deputy minister’s statements to state broadcaster Cybc, the issue concerned Android 11 devices, which showed all EU digital covid certificate (EUDCC) as invalid.

Kokkinos explained that “certain adjustments” were made which are expected to be approved by Google in the next couple of days.

“Any technical adjustments needed will be carried out and are being carried out,” Kokkinos said, adding that Android 10 users did not face any issues.

Electronic scanning will be made mandatory for businesses on November 22, while establishments were urged to start using CovScan to make sure they are ready before the deadline.

Checks through the application are carried out by scanning the QR code that appears on the bearer’s certificate and presents the validity test results. Printed certificates will also be accepted.

If it is green, the certificate is valid and means that the holder has completed their vaccination or has recovered from Covid-19. Yellow or Orange means the certificate is valid and the holder has undergone PCR or rapid test with a negative result.

Red means the certificate is invalid.

Checks will remain manual for third country nationals who have certificates from a non-EU country, Kokkinos explained.

The health ministry has said it will be issuing details regarding arrangement for those who do not have a smart phone and people over 65 who cannot present the digital SafePass or the QR code in print form. They are expected to be able to continue to present a paper copy of their vaccination, test result or certificate of recovery.

The application is rated with 1.4 stars on Google play out of 125 reviews. The national application is not available for Apple devices  for the time being.

Businesses that do not check customers for a SafePass are faced with hefty fines, while police are conducting daily checks for the implementation of coronavirus measures.

Meanwhile, the health ministry stressed that the application was designed in compliance with all the provisions for the protection of personal data and shows only the name and date of birth of the holder and does not store the bearer’s personal data or the history of checks.