Governments around the world are looking at ways to wipe the Coronavirus pandemic curve. In India, one such move is the Aarogya Setu mobile app, which was developed to help individuals understand the risk of contracting COVID-19. The guidelines issued by different districts following the comprehensive order on lockdown relaxation given by the Delhi government to revive economic activities. It made mandatory for businesses and construction firms to ensure employees download the Arogya application to their phones as a preventive measure against Covid-19 spreading.

Construction Workers to Use Aarogya App

While the country remained in lockdown, during the time, migrant workers were left with no work and no income. The central government has issued orders to popularize the Aarogya Setu mobile application after six weeks of lockdown among factory and construction workers returning to work. Among other features, the application warns the user if she or he comes in close contact with a person tested positive for Covid-19. However, the user will be required to keep his phone's Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi switched on all the time.

Even though installing the app was not made compulsory for the entire population, the Center has already made it a must for its employees to return to work. The Ministry of Home Affairs guidelines on the movement of migrants, visitors, pilgrims and students stuck in various states and going back via special trains and buses arranged by the governments also state that people wishing to return to their hometowns should also be encouraged to use the Aarogya Setu app to monitor and track their health status.

Last week, in a separate order, the government had instructed all district magistrates and deputy police commissioners to make everyone living in the containment zone aware of Aarogya Setu 's benefits and to enable them to download and use the application. All the factory workers must download the Aarogya Setu app from their mobile phones. The manager of the factory shall file reports of the employees having cell phones, and the downloaded mobile app shall state the guidelines provided to industries and construction firms by the district administrations. The government has made it clear that any violation of the guideline would incur penalties.

Allowing the phase-wise reopening of construction activity with safeguards by the government helps to boost real estate activities and the country's economic growth.

By: Shailaja K