Blockchain Technology Used to Fight COVID-19 in Latin America

A Canada-based firm has depended on blockchain technology to strengthen its initiatives to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in Latin America. Toronto-based Emerge, a blockchain startup, is introducing a system app for public safety called Civitas to assist local officials in several countries.

Based on the company's blog posted on its website, the app was developed to enhance safety and lessen wait times in stores by reducing the gatherings of people in closed spaces, decreasing the possibility of infection.

This particular software program can link the government ID numbers of the locals with distinctive blockchain records, letting the authorities identify if such individuals are allowed to leave their respective homes.

Say, a citizen reports he is experiencing symptoms similar to COVID-19, blockchain technology can then help in identifying which particular days are the safest and most ideal for them to go out and buy the essential products such as food and medicine.

READ: Twitter Deletes 20,000 Fake Accounts Linked to Honduras and Other Governments

Lockdown Due to Pandemic

Almost one-third of the 9-million population of Honduras has been under lockdown since the middle of March. Many of these affected people live in Tegucigalpa, the capital city of Honduras. Those who are found violating the quarantine order in the said areas can face hefty charges or penalties for leaving their homes without a valid reason.

Meanwhile, Civitas would potentially let the Honduras doctors track the symptoms and note down any indication that links to the patient's care. Such information or detail will only be exclusively available to the user, as well as the health care provider.

Moreover, while some nations rely on the latest technology to trace COVID-19, the blockchain app has been prominently featured to combat this pandemic that has swept almost the entire world.

The Ministry of Community Development (MOCD) of the United Arab Emirates has started depending on the use of electronic identity via the chat and blockchain-based systems for the official certificates' digital authentication, as well as the other documents. This particular automated procedure lets people practice "sheltering in place" while they are working from home.

READ NEXT: How can Digital Infrastructure Help Defeat COVID-19?

Initiative to Fight COVID-19

Specifically, Civitas is a text-messaging approach guaranteeing that everyone, even the people whose phones are not a smartphone, is included. It provides the most frugally vulnerable, those who are medically at risk, and the older adults with the opportunity to specify once they are ready to go out to run errands.

Civitas indicates and directs as well, the points for the delivery of food for both the government-sponsored programs and charities that assist those in need.

READ MORE: COVID-19 Online Tests and Cures Might Pose More Harm Than Good

While the output of such a system is considered "low-tech" enough to assist the most significant number of people, the inputs are innovative, not to mention, pioneering, with smart agreements and blockchain app helping to guarantee public safety and order under otherwise chaotic circumstances.

As the company is starting by setting out the public safety for the purchase of food, the blockchain app is already being readied to expand into healthcare. It will also assist both the healthcare providers and the governments in balancing capacity, urgency, and need.