SINGAPORE: Vending machines that dispense replacement TraceTogether tokens will be deployed at more than a hundred community clubs and selected malls across Singapore in the coming months.
The first two machines were rolled out at shopping malls NEX and Sun Plaza on Monday (Jul 26).
These TraceTogether tokens are used for contact tracing purposes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Members of the public can now replace their old or faulty tokens at these machines, which store 1,400 new tokens each.
However, they are not for users who are collecting their TraceTogether tokens for the first time.
READ: TraceTogether check-in to be mandatory at all wet markets and hawker centres in Singapore
To collect their replacement tokens, members of the public will need to bring their identity card and their old token.
After scanning the QR code on their old token, they can retrieve their new device and drop off the old one in a marked slot.
They can also check if the replacement token works by tapping on the SafeEntry Gateway box fitted at the side of the vending machine, which will show a green light and sound a beep if it is working.
Smart Nation and Digital Government Group and Temasek Foundation collaborated to retrofit mask vending machines for the dispensing of replacement TraceTogether tokens.
Currently, token replacement is being carried out at 108 community centres (CCs) and more than 40 shopping malls.
“We were just thinking, how else can we add to the convenience of the public because these CCs and malls, they operate within certain hours,” said Ms Huang Weixian, who is director of adoption and engagement at Smart Nation and Digital Government Office.
“So we thought a vending machine could be a cool way for them, once they know their token is not working, they can immediately just hop over to the vending machine and get their tokens replaced.”
But only tokens that are collected or replaced more than four months ago can be replaced using the vending machine.
For newer tokens that are faulty or running out of battery, members of the public can visit token replacement points at any community centres or selected malls.
Individuals can also help their family members replace their tokens.
“Although you can collect the token for your family members, you have to bring along your IDs, so there’s that authentication process. So the ID has to match the QR code on the token, you have to scan both before you can collect,” said Ms Huang.
“You can actually see there are CCTV cameras installed, so that is also a deterrence for people who want to collect more tokens than they should.”
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