Singapore is using a high-tech surveillance app to track the coronavirus, keeping schools and businesses open. Here's how it works.

REUTERS/Edgar Su

• Singapore is using a smartphone app to monitor the spread of the coronavirus by tracking people who may have been exposed.
• The government's high-tech approach has helped keep COVID-19 in check on the island nation - schools and businesses have not had to shut down there.
• The tracking app, TraceTogether, would violate a slew of privacy laws if implemented in the US, but Singapore has also made it much easier for citizens with symptoms to get a test than the US has.
• Here's what the app looks like and how it works.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Singapore has accomplished what few nations could: It has successfully contained the spread of COVID-19 within its borders.

The island nation has confirmed just under 600 cases total. Its borders have closed, but Singapore hasn't had to implement a shutdown - schools and businesses have remained open.

Complimentary Tech Event

Transform talent with learning that works

Capability development is critical for businesses who want to push the envelope of innovation.Discover how business leaders are strategizing around building talent capabilities and empowering employee transformation.Know More

Singapore has accomplished this feat with the help of high-tech surveillance tools run by the government, including a smartphone app that tracks users' location and proximity to other people using Bluetooth, alerting those who come in contact with someone wo has tested positive or is at high risk for carrying the coronavirus.

In addition to the app, called TraceTogether, the Singapore government sends citizens updates via WhatsApp twice a day that include the total number of cases, the suspected locations of outbreaks, and advice for avoiding infection.

If implemented in the US, some of Singapore's high-tech tools for curbing infection would violate privacy laws like HIPAA, which prevents the sharing of people's health information between hospitals, the government, and third parties.

Privacy issues aside, Singapore has also poured money into a system of rigorous testing, establishing more than 1,000 testing clinics and covering the cost of testing and treatment for all citizens. In the US, a shortage of testing kits has led health officials to recommend only testing hospital patients and healthcare workers.

Here's a look inside Singapore's' TraceTogether app, and a breakdown of how it has used location data and Bluetooth to help curb the spread of COVID-19.

We get official updates 2x a day via WhatsApp. We also got a video message from Singapore's prime minister a few weeks ago reassuring and calming everyone down.
This is a masterclass in crisis communications and management from the Singapore government.#COVID19 #Coronavirus pic.twitter.com/VylMQbSUcZ

- Andrew Au (@AndrewAu) February 25, 2020