Exposure Notifications FAQs

1. 

   How does it work?

   Exposure Notifications relies on people opting in to the service. When two people have activated Exposure Notifications on their smartphones and come in close proximity to one another, they exchange anonymized “tokens” that log that close interaction for 14 days. If one of those two people tests positive for COVID-19 after that encounter and chooses to enable the exposure notification service, the other individual will receive an alert that they have been exposed to COVID-19. They will be directed to self-quarantine immediately and will be referred to COVID-19 resources.

2. 

   How can someone participate?

   Android users can download CO Exposure Notifications on the Google Play store.

   iPhone users can enable notifications directly in their settings:

   1. Tap on the Settings app from your home screen.

   2. Scroll down to locate and tap Exposure Notifications—found in the same grouping as Emergency SOS & Battery.

   3. Tap Turn On Exposure Notifications and hit Continue.

   4. Follow prompts to select Country and State (United States, Louisiana).

   5. Review and accept CDPHE's terms and conditions.

   6. When prompted, allow Exposure Notifications to access to your phone's Bluetooth.

   7. Tap Turn On to enable the notifications on your phone.

3. 

   How will this help Louisiana slow the spread of COVID-19?

   Awareness and identification are key to stopping the spread of COVID-19. Exposure Notifications complement the current testing and case investigation process by alerting individuals of possible exposure to the virus. This is especially helpful for people who are asymptomatic, meaning they don’t have any symptoms but can still spread the virus. When many people have enabled Exposure Notifications on their phones, people who are asymptomatic will know they should get tested, learn they are positive for COVID-19, and quarantine until they are no longer infectious.

4. 

   Is Google, Apple, or the State collecting personal information?

   No. This service does not use or store personally identifiable information and is designed to protect your privacy. The technology does not record your location or use your GPS. It uses the Bluetooth feature of your phone to exchange randomly generated anonymous “tokens” (example token: Y2RzQ0RT) that are not associated with your phone number, your name, your location, or your IP address. These anonymous tokens change every 15 minutes to protect your identity. The system uses a secure, decentralized design to determine if you have been in contact with a positive case and it is not tracked on any servers. After 14 days, or once an alert is triggered, the “tokens” are permanently erased. The code for the service is open source, so people can verify that it does not capture any personally identifying information.

5. 

   If I test positive will my identity be shared with anyone via Exposure Notifications?

   No. Your positive test result will only result in Exposure Notifications if you opt in and upload your result to the system. Even then, your personal information is not collected, stored or shared by the exposure notification system. If you test positive for COVID-19, you have the ability to share the anonymous tokens your phone has transmitted. Anyone you have exchanged tokens with in the last 14 days will receive a push notification alerting them to a possible exposure—but the alert will not tell them where they were exposed or who exposed them.

6. 

   How quickly will I be notified if I have been exposed?

   You will be notified once the COVID positive individual authorizes Exposure Notifications to send out an alert. You can be notified of any exposure that happened within the last 14 days. How quickly after you are exposed will also vary depending on when that person received a positive result and how quickly the information was uploaded.

7. 

   Does this service work with visitors from other places?

   Yes, people visiting Louisiana that opt in to Louisiana Exposure Notifications or have opted in to the Exposure Notification system in their state will all work together. Participating states include Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

8. 

   If I leave Louisiana do Exposure Notifications still work?

   If you go on a trip, you can continue using Louisiana as your selected state for alerts. If you move out of Louisiana for an extended period, you should review options in your new state to get local support.

9. 

   Will Exposure Notifications affect battery life or data plan?

   The service was designed to use Bluetooth and data minimally. It should not have a noticeable impact on battery life or data usage.

10. 

    Can I temporarily disable the service?

    Yes. Just as you have to opt-in to participate, you can opt-out at any time.

11. 

    I know someone who got a positive test result so why didn’t I get a notification on my phone?

    Exposure Notifications requires several conditions to be met in order to send you a notification. Both people must have the software installed with Bluetooth enabled at the time of their close interaction. The person with a positive diagnosis must upload their tokens. Both people have to spend enough time at a close distance for there to be a likely exposure. If one of those conditions did not occur, then you won’t get a notification. If you know that you were exposed to COVID-19 and you didn’t get a notification from your phone, you should still quarantine and monitor your symptoms. Visit our COVID Community Support page to learn more.

12. 

    How many notifications will I get?

    It depends on how many people you interact with for specific amounts of time and specific proximities as set by state epidemiologists and informed by CDC guidelines. The number of notifications will also depend on how many individuals use Exposure Notifications on their phones, and how many of them have a positive diagnosis. You may never receive a notification that you were exposed to a positive case.

13. 

    How does the service know if I have COVID-19?

    Your positive test result will only result in Exposure Notifications if you opt in and upload your result to the system. Even then, your personal information is not collected, stored or shared by the exposure notification system.

14. 

    I have been vaccinated. Should I keep Exposure Notifications on?

    Yes. In addition to being vaccinated, Exposure Notifications is another tool to help slow the spread and is an added layer of protection to others in your community. Keeping Exposure Notifications turned on makes a differences, as the technology works better when more people use it.

15. 

    My workplace already requires me to use an app. Can I also use this?

    Yes, Exposure Notifications are a unique service that work alongside existing solutions available in Louisiana.