This post is part of a series on contact tracing apps. You can read our introduction to the series and get links to the other entries here.
A motion for a resolution regarding contact tracing applications has been tabled with the Chamber of Representatives and is still under discussions. The text of this resolution provides that any future contact tracing application would only operate on a voluntary basis and be accompanied by several safeguards, such as the anonymisation of data, deletion of data after use as well as the absence of geolocation data.
According to a recent interview given by the Belgian Federal Minister, head of the medical supplies crisis taskforce, the implementation of contact tracing applications is not envisaged in the near future and contact research should be performed manually.
In such respect, the National Security Council (NSC) has announced that contact tracing will be put in place and operated via a call centre established in each region, which will require 2,000 full-time agents. A common platform and database will be created in order to manage the call centres and organise the agents' work.
The system would work as follows. A person who is tested positive with COVID-19 will be asked to list the people with whom they have been in contact. The latter will be contacted and be invited to call their doctor if they show any symptoms.
The NSC added that a legal framework could be developed by the federal government, if necessary, to protect privacy in the context of the creation of an application that would support the 'physical' contact tracing.
Other posts in this series:
- Round 1: What’s happening?
- Round 2: Legal considerations for companies that want to use contact tracing
- Round 3: Are companies required to use contact tracing?
