Cyprus Mail 31 August 2021 - by staff reporter
The deputy ministry of technology said on Tuesday that is has made available an app allowing the public and businesses to verify the validity of the EU digital covid certificate (EUDCC) for domestic use.
CovScan Cyprus can be used on any Android smart device (later versions than 8.1) and is available free on Google Play (https://play.google.com/)
The app checks the validity by scanning the QR code on the EUDCC (in print or electronic form). There are three possible results: green which means the certificate is valid and the holder has been vaccinated or has recovered from Covid-19, yellow which means that the certificate is valid, and that the holder has undergone a PCR or rapid test with a negative result and finally, red which means the certificate is not valid.
The deputy ministry reminded that as regards the EU digital covid certificate in Cyprus, the vaccination certificate is valid for one year from the date of the first dose, the certificate of recovery is valid for six months from the date of the first positive result and the PCR or antigen test is valid for 72 hours from the time the test was carried out.
The app shows only the name and date of birth of the holder of the certificate and no personal data or history of checks is stored either temporarily or permanently, it added.
“Use of this valuable tool is expected to contribute decisively to protecting public health and to the smooth, and above all, safe return to conditions of normality,” the deputy ministry added.
In an accompanying Q&A, the deputy ministry said than in the event a certificate is scanned and found to be invalid, then holders must issue a new one on https://www.eudcc.gov.cy/, making sure the data is correct.
In case of difficulty in issuing a digital certificate, members of the public can send an email to info@eudcc.gov.cy or call 1474 for Cyprus numbers or +357 22285757 for foreign numbers and for calls from abroad.
User guide
Users with Android 8.1+ operating system can download and install the CovScan Cyprus app from Google Play (https://play.google.com/store/apps).
After activating the app, follow the 4 steps to check the European COVID Digital Certificate.
To start the process of testing the European COVID Digital Certificate, activate the CovScan Cyprus application from your smart device. Make sure your smart device is connected to the internet.
The application will be automatically upgraded with the National rules for the control of the European Covid Digital Certificates.
Implementation started with the automatic upgrade of the National control rules for the European Covid Digital Certificates. "Downloading Rules" screen message
The app will then ask you to give your consent to activate and use your device's camera. Select "OK" and choose your choice of choice regarding the frequency of activation of the camera:
• "While using the app" (=during the use of the application)
• "Only this time" (=only this time)
• "Deny" (=rejection)
If you select "Deny", you will not be able to use the CovScan Cyprus application.
If you select "Only this time", each time the app is activated you will be asked again to give your consent to use the camera.
If you select "While using the app", you will be able to use the CovScan Cyprus application continuously, without turning on the device's camera every time.
Therefore, the option "While using the app" is advisable.
Original image of the CovScan Cyprus application. When you turn it on, you're prompted for approval to use your device's camera in the app. Three camera frequency options.
Before you start scanning the certificates, select the icon in the top right (icon "?") where the settings of the application are displayed. Press and enable the update of the application's control information (Trusted public keys option, "Reload" button). The process takes a few seconds. Now the application is up to date and you can start the process of checking the certificates.
Page for updating control information. By selecting the "?" icon in the top right you open the app settings. Tap "Reload" to update the app information. The upgrade option can be made 1 time during the day.
Scan result
To scan the QR code, move your smart device's camera so that the yellow limits cover the QR code.
Upon completion of scanning the QR code, the application will recognize whether the certificate is valid or invalid. If the test result is Green or Yellow then the certificate is "Valid". If it is Red, then it is "Invalid."
The European Digital Certificate OF COVID is valid if it meets the following requirements, as stated in the National Rules of Cyprus:
• He has been vaccinated with all 2 doses against COVID-19. The period of validity shall be one year from the date of the first instalment.
• He has been ill in the last 6 months. The period of validity shall start from the date on which the first positive result is sampled.
• If it has a negative result of a COVID-19 laboratory test with molecular methodology (RT-PCR) or with the antigen rapid test method. The duration of validity is set at 72 hours from the time of sampling.
Scan result. Green = Valid and Yellow = Valid
After 15 seconds, the app reactivated the camera for the next review. In addition, you can activate the camera by pressing the "Next Scan" option.
If the certificate does not meet the above conditions, then it will be recognized by the application as "Invalid". If your certificate is incorrectly recognised as "Invalid", you will need to re-issue your certificate via the platform in the link https://www.eudcc.gov.cy/, and make sure that the information listed is correct.
Scan result. Red = Invalid
Check items
Make sure the details are true.
After checking the validity of the certificate, make sure that the information listed is correct.
