NHS COVID-19 app not an alternative for record keeping

People across Wales and England are being urged to download the NHS COVID-19 app to help stop the spread of coronavirus . The app launched Thursday 24 October after positive trials and will be a useful tool when used alongside Wales’ successful manual contact tracing system. A range of campaign materials are available for you to download and share with your network and on your communication channels. Find out more information about the app and download the unique QR code for your business.

Keeping records of staff, customers, and visitors: Test, Trace, Protect (TTP) The new NHS COVID-19 App (mentioned above) will not provide an alternative for hospitality businesses and other high-risk settings for keeping records of staff, customers and visitors to assist with TTP, in case of an outbreak. This means that in Wales it will still remain a legal requirement for pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants to collect and retain contact information of staff, visitors and customers for 21 days, regardless of whether they are displaying an official QR code poster associated with the new NHS COVID-19 App. Whilst businesses will be encouraged to display the QR code poster, the App does not cover the requirement associated with the guidance, so details will still need to be collected as they are now.

Although tourism businesses are not included in this compulsory guidance, accommodation operators are reminded of the importance of continuing to collect customer details at the point of booking, and to support the NHS Wales Test, Trace, Protect service with this information if required. Guidance on Keeping records of staff, customers, and visitors: test, trace, protect is available at Gov.Wales.