Pubs legally required to display NHS app codes
The NHS Covid-19 app has launched across England Wales to help control the spread of coronavirus by aiding NHS Test and Trace.
Businesses must promote checking-in to their venue on the app and encourage customers to use it, in addition to the pub’s existing method of contact-taking.
The app aims to inform people if they have been in close contact with a confirmed coronavirus case and will advise individuals to self-isolate when necessary.
Alternative method
The Government said QR codes will help businesses meet their legal requirement to log contact details.
However, pubs should maintain an alternative check-in method to collect the details of people who don’t have the app, for example a digital log.
Public health authorities could send alerts to people based on which venues they have checked in at.
More than 160,000 businesses have already downloaded QR codes - publicans can create custom posters on the Government website.
How does it work?
When a customer enters a pub and scans a QR code poster, the pub’s information will be logged on the user’s phone.
This information will stay on their phone for 21 days and if during that time an outbreak is identified at a location, the venue ID in question will be sent to all devices.
The device will check if users have been at that location and if the app finds a match, users may get an alert with advice on what to do based on the level of risk.
Steven Alton, British Institute of Innkeeping (BII), CEO said the trade association was keen to help any publicans worried about following new regulations.
“The amount of information that the hospitality sector is having to process at the moment is vast," he said. "The Track & Trace App, the 10pm curfew, the additional guidance on table service, face coverings and much more has brought with it a huge amount of uncertainty. Understandably our members are seeking clarity on all of this and more.”
