Mumbai: Glitch in Aarogya Setu app brings Ghatkopar man's life to halt

A glitch in the Aarogya Setu app has brought a Ghatkopar businessmanrsquos life to a standstill Interior designer Jitendra Machhar had tested positive for COVID19 in May 2020 However the app continues to show him as positive because of which he has not been able to enter offices for work taking a hit in business Machhar has submitted online complaints but the problem has not been resolved so farJeweller Mitesh AmbaviThe Aarogya Setu app created to spread awareness about COVID19 and keep track of those infected across the country is now giving trouble to many citizens Due to some technical error the application shows people as COVID19 positive even if they have recovered months backMachhar is one such citizen facing the issues He told midday ldquoDuring lockdown my business was down due to COVID Now it is down due to the Aarogya Setu application My business involves visiting corporate offices where they check my Aarogya Setu app based on which I can enter offices I uninstalled and installed the app many times since May but it still shows me as COVID positiverdquoA screenshot of Jitendra Machharrsquos Aarogya Setu app showing him as COVID positiveldquoI have fully recovered and have no COVID symptoms I am not able to collect money from clients I also informed my doctors and they too were shocked at my reportrdquo Machhar said Recounting another incident where the app inconvenienced him Machhar said ldquoA few months ago I visited a sevenstar hotel with my friends Seeing my COVID positive status the hotel didnrsquot let me enter We changed plans and went to another hotel I have also submitted complaints to the apprdquoIn another incident Jeweller Mitesh Ambavi who runs his shop at MG Road in Ghatkopar said ldquoIn September my relative tested positive and I went to a Vidyavihar hospital to admit him My relative was not using his mobile phone so I gave my number to the hospital The doctors there put my number in the COVID report and the app showed me as positive My family was quarantined for 14 days and the health department harassed us Everyone in our family uninstalled the apprdquoA screenshot of Machharrsquos complaint to Aarogya Setu appWhen questioned about the issues both the central and state health ministers shifted responsibility to each otherHealth and Family Welfare Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan told midday ldquoThe Aarogya Setu app is created by the central government but you have to talk with Rajesh Tope He will give you the answer and suggestionsrdquoStatersquos Health Minister Tope on the other hand said ldquoSpeak to Dr Harsh Vardhan he will have the answer and meet me at Mantralaya I shall give you the answerrdquoMayMonth in 2020 Machhar tested COVID positive