MANILA -- A web and mobile app that will help people plan their errands while observing social distancing will soon be available for Android and iOS.
Maze, the Philippines' first social distancing app, is being developed by iAcademy and the Department of Tourism.
It aims to help users by showing the crowd status or density in their planned destinations.
The app lets users choose their target locations and see how congested these specific areas are.
Like the traffic app Waze, Maze will provide updated information through reports of users in the same location.
Users may even send pictures of the area.
For the initial phase, the app will focus on areas for essential errands like markets, groceries, drug stores, and banks.
Other features will be added for other public places, especially for those who will use it for social distancing even after the quarantine.
"The Maze app helps everyone in making an informed decision whenever they plan to go out for errands. Not only does it encourage people to observe social distancing during the enhanced community quarantine but also instills a mindset to maintain social distancing even after we have successfully flattened the curve," said Vanessa Tanco, president and CEO of iAcademy.
The app developers assured that the information sent out by users will remain confidential, and no personal data will be collected from them.
Maze will utilize the crowdsourcing strategy so the more people use the app, the more effective and helpful it will be for users.
The app is free, and will go live on or before April 28.