Check-in function, rapid test integration and digital vaccination certificates: Corona-Warn-App ushers in new era

It's been a few months since I last checked in with an update on the Corona-Warn-App. While the pandemic continues to significantly impact our lives, in recent weeks we have reached important development milestones that mark the beginning of a new era for the app: era 2.x

This phase consists of three major features: "event registration" (check-in function), "rapid test integration" and "integration of digital vaccination certificates". In combination with social-distancing measures, the vaccination program and a comprehensive testing strategy, the warning app remains not only an important component of our response to the pandemic, but also a valuable companion as we emerge from lock-down.

With versions 2.0 and 2.1 released last Sunday, we have already successfully implemented two of three features.

Event registration enables targeted interruption of infection chains

Event registration allows retailers, event organizers and even private individuals to create a QR code that visitors or customers can use to check in. This can be used before going to the hairdresser, for example. Anyone who later tests positive for COVID-19 can use the app to share their check-ins and diagnostic keys and alert other attendees or guests. This update is extremely important because the app previously only registered high-risk contacts who had been within two meters or less of each other for an extended period of time. However, prolonged indoor stays can lead to aerosols spreading over longer distances and remaining in the air, even after the infected person has left the room.

Great support from the community

At this point, I would like to express my sincere thanks to the warning app community: in order to simplify the printing of the QR codes created, the community has, on its own initiative, developed a QR code generator for the website and made it available on GitHub. We have published this directly on coronawarn.app. Our developers have also built a function for the automatic creation of bulk QR codes, which have enabled Apollo-Optik, for example, to equip almost 900 of their stores with a Corona-Warn-App QR code (https://twitter.com/joerg_ehmer/status/1388118368704778243?s=21). This is exactly one of the reasons why our open source approach is so important and I am really pleased that we can all benefit from it!

Brand new rapid test integration enables faster alerts

With the release of version 2.1 last Sunday, we reached another milestone in the 2.x era: rapid test integration. Eight partners are already participating from launch, including Ecolog Deutschland GmbH, Lidl and dm-drogerie markt. Users can perform a quick test at these partners and receive their result within a few minutes via the app. In the event of a positive result, they can warn their contacts immediately, speeding up the notification process.

I am very pleased that these new releases have already met with great approval. After all, the app’s new functions actively help to break chains of infection in a quicker and more targeted way. Every user of the app is therefore actively contributing to the fight against the pandemic in Germany. Therefore, my appeal to all those who have not yet done so: Download the app, use the check-in function and, if the worst comes to the worst, share your positive test result – whether based on a rapid test or a PCR test. This gives us all the opportunity to help beat the pandemic. Let’s take it.

In the future, the integration of digital vaccination certificates will round off the new era 2.x. The app will display vaccination certificates, which will provide information on whether the user has full vaccination protection.

I am pleased that more than 27 million people now trust the app and nearly half a million users have so far shared their positive test results. In this new era, the Corona-Warn-App is a more valuable building block than ever in the fight against the virus!