Corona app is finished, but rollout is delayed: makers disappointed

The corona app has been available for download for iOS and Android since mid-August and is already supported in five GGD regions. People can download it outside those regions, but the GGDs in those regions do not yet support the app. If someone there turns out to have the corona virus, the app will not be used.

Legal substantiation

Although the app is technically finished, the legal substantiation is not yet. The law that regulates the use of the app is still with the Senate.

“Everyone has worked hard for months to get the app done on time. It feels like the political side of the story is slowing down somewhat than the rest of society,” said the design team’s leader, Jasper Hauser, who previously worked for Facebook, among others.

At the same time, the makers do not want to blame the Senate for the delay. “We have a democracy, it simply takes time,” says Ivo Jansch, one of the people behind the architecture of the app. But he finds it frustrating.

For legislation, the process is exceptionally fast, notes spokesman Marcel van Beusekom of the Ministry of Health.

Tight week

The Senate will vote on the law on 6 October at the earliest, but additional questions from the senate may cause additional delay.

After approval from the Senate, according to the ministry, it will take “another week” before the corona app can be rolled out throughout the Netherlands. “The legal paperwork must be arranged and the publicity campaign must be prepared,” said spokesman Van Beusekom.

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