Aarogya Setu app to be pre-installed on smartphones soon

The Government of India has launched the Aarogya Setu app to combat against Covid-19 pandemic. The Aarogya Setu app is designed to inform its users regarding risks, best practices and relevant advisories pertaining to the containment of Covid-19. 

Prime Minister Modi had urged users to download the Aarogya Setu app in all his recent speeches as that would help to contain the spread of coronavirus.Earlier, the government had asked the smartphone makers to install the app by default but it wasn’t possible as the manufacturing of the smartphones was halted. However, the reports state that the smartphone makers will start working on it as soon as the manufacturing resumes.

A day ago, the government had asked all the government employees to download the Aarogy Setu app and should come to office only if their status in the app shows “safe”.

"Before starting for office, they must review their status on 'Aarogya Setu' and commute only when the app shows 'safe' or 'low risk' status,” the order issued by Ministry read.The report further stated that the central government employees should stay at home if their status on app says “high risk” or “moderate”.

The Aarogya Setu app became the most-downloaded app in India with over 75 million downloads.It is still not mandatory for citizens to download the app but once the lockdown is lifted the government might make it mandatory for everyone.

There were reports claiming that the app will be used by Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and Delhi Metro to screen people who wish to use the service once lockdown is lifted. Also, recently the delivery app Zomato and Urban Company made the app mandatory for their delivery and service executives.

Aarogya Setu to Come Pre-Installed on New Phones, Registration Will Be Mandatory During Setup