[Article has been updated on 28 October 2020, 9:15am]
From Thursday (October 29), TraceTogether tokens will be distributed one constituency at a time, starting with Marsiling Community Centre (CC), announced the Smart Nation and Digital Government Office (SNDGO).
On October 27, the SNDGO also announced that the the collection of TraceTogether tokens at CCs will be restricted to residents within the constituency only.
This means that from Thursday, only Marsiling residents can collect the tokens.
After Marsiling CC, residents living in Woodgrove may collect their tokens from October 31 at Fuchun and Woodgrove CC. This is followed by Yew Tee residents at Yew Tee CC, from November 3.
SNDGO also said in a media statement that it would temporarily suspend distribution of the token at the 38 CCs that have served as collection venues for the past six weeks.
Once distribution begins at a CC, it will continue even when new distribution points are rolled out.
The TraceTogether token is a contact-tracing device that enables quick tracking of people who have been exposed to COVID-19 cases.
The statement from SNDGO came after long queues were reported at collection points like Rivervale Community Centre and Sengkang Community Club.
This prompted GovTech to put up a post on Facebook urging Singaporeans not to rush to collect the tokens.
Minister-in-charge of the Smart Nation initiative Vivian Balakrishnan also gave the public the assurance that there would be more than enough TraceTogether tokens for everyone.
He noted that there had been an “overwhelming demand” for the tokens, and urged the public to collect the tokens near their homes.
As Singapore prepares for Phase 3 of reopening, more public venues will require people to check in using the TraceTogether app or tokens by end December instead of SafeEntry.
Use Of TraceTogether Token Or App Mandatory By End December
Education Minister Lawrence Wong, who co-chairs the governmental task force tackling Covid-19, announced on October 20 that Singapore may enter Phase 3 of its reopening by the end of this year.
This will only happen if community cases remain low. If new clusters emerge, the timeline may have to be pushed back, he said.
By end December, venues including restaurants, workplaces, schools and shopping malls will require the use of the TraceTogether app or tokens.
This means that residents will not be able to gain entry to these places by scanning SafeEntry QR codes, or through the SingPass mobile app or barcodes on their NRIC.
The mandatory usage of the TraceTogether app or token in cinemas began yesterday (October 26).
Minister Vivian Balakrishnan reassured the public that there are “several million” more tokens in production. The current goal is to produce 2.7 million tokens.
These tokens can be collected at 38 CCs around Singapore and will be made available at all 108 CCs islandwide by the end of November.
To find out where you can collect your token, visit the Token Go Where website.
Featured Image Credit: MobiHealthNews / MustShareNews
