As Singapore slowly reopens its borders, authorities claim that they will reportedly be making incoming travelers use an electronic monitoring device so as to ensure that they are completely compliant with coronavirus quarantines.

Effective from August 11, these devices will be provided to all the incoming travelers, including residents and citizens, from a selected group of nations, who will be given permission to stay isolated at home as opposed to a state-authorized isolation unit. People traveling to Singapore are expected to activate this device, that is embedded with GPS and Bluetooth signals, once they reach their homes, post which they will receive notifications on the device that are expected to be acknowledged.

Any attempt to tamper with the device or leave home during quarantine will instantly alert the appointed authorities.

Sources familiar with the knowledge of the matter claim similar such measures have been undertaken in South Korea and Hong Kong, where electronic wristbands had been deployed to track the movements of people during the quarantine period.

In March, Hong Kong had come up with a scheme for incoming travelers, wherein they were expected to use a narrow, slim electronic wristband, quite similar to a tag that is worn by hospital patients, so as to enforce quarantines for all the arriving passengers. South Korea has also adopted the use of such wristbands that are connected to smartphone apps, for all those who violate the rules of quarantine.

So far, Singapore has not spoken about the details on what the device will look like, however, it has said in a statement that the device will not be used to store any personal data of the passengers; neither will it be having any voice or video recording functionality.

Those below the age of 12 will not be required to wear the devices.

Singapore is also planning to provide a wearable, virus-tracing dongle to all its residents, is likely to enforce stringent punishments for people who breach its quarantine and social distancing norms.

Source Credits: https://in.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-singapore-wearables/singapore-to-make-travellers-wear-electronic-tags-to-enforce-quarantine-idINKBN24Z0FH