RIYADH: The Tawakkalna app that helps prevent the spread of the coronavirus in Saudi Arabia has been fixed following a massive surge in applications which caused it to crash.
Almost 10 million users registered with Tawakkalna since May 2020 – that number recently rose by 22.5 percent to 12.5 million.
But when the government this last week made use of the app mandatory for all people in the Kingdom to enter worksites, shops, and malls, attempts to sign in reached 250 million causing it to crash.
The app provides information surrounding the spread of COVID-19 in the Kingdom, including telling users when they are close to an area where there are known cases, and helps with the early detection of possible infections – it also allows people to apply for permits during times of curfew.
Suspected cases can also be reported through the app.
In a statement, the app’s administrators said the technical defect that was limiting its use had been resolved and that work was continuing to restore all functions.
At the time of the crash users were sent text messages with their names, identification numbers and health statuses that would allow them to enter establishments.
Meanwhile Saudi authorities continue to carry out inspections of venues – with than 27,000 made between Feb. 3 and 5, resulting in the detection of 6,200 violations, and 1,054 establishments closed.
There were 386 new cases of COVID-19 recorded on Saturday, bringing the overall total number of known infections since the start of the pandemic to 369,961 in the Kingdom.
The number of critical cases rose by 16 in the past 24 hours, increasing the overall number to 401, as active cases reached 2,327.
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