Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

Launch date confirmed for NHS Covid-19 Contact Tracing app

The NHS Covid-19 contact tracing app is due to be launched next week as part of the coronavirus testing and contact tracing programmes in England and Wales.

The app set to launch on Thursday, 24th September, will be used alongside traditional methods of contact tracing, to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.


Users will be notified when they come into contact with someone who later tests positive and provide them with advice on what to do next.

Users will also be provided with local risk information and will allow them to quickly book a free test, using a built-in QR scanner to check-in at venues.

The app allows you to log when you visit a venue by ‘checking-in’ by scanning the venue’s QR code on your phone.

People are advised to create a QR code when visiting a business, an event, place of worship or community organisation with a physical location that is open to the public.

While retail premises are not generally required to collect contact information, the NHS FAQs guidance states: “customers generally move around the space rather than congregate, and are expected, by law, to wear face coverings.

“QR code posters are therefore only likely to be useful for cafes/restaurants or other enclosed facilities within supermarket premises where customers may congregate.”

More information and a list of FAQs for businesses can be found here.

In Wales it is mandatory for businesses in certain high risk sectors to collect and keep records of staff, customers and visitors.

Businesses are recommended to have an alternative check-in method, such as a handwritten register, to collect the contact details of those who do not have the app.

Posters for these premises can be downloaded here.

More for you

Edmonton city council debates bylaw to ban sale of knives in convenience stores

iStock image

Edmonton city council debates bylaw to ban sale of knives in convenience stores

Edmonton city council is discussing what it would take to ban knives from being sold in convenience stores, state recent reports.

A key issue during the community and public services committee held on Monday (20) was wading through the potential legal ramifications of defining what a knife is and whether some businesses owners may try to find loopholes to be able to sell knives.

Keep ReadingShow less
Things to know about new Simpler Recycling reforms

iStock image

Things to know about new Simpler Recycling reforms

With just 70 days left to go until the government’s new Simpler Recycling reforms are implemented, most businesses are not prepared for the changes in the rule, claims a leading business waste management service.

Although the UK's overall recycling rate has seen a significant rise, reaching 44 per cent in 2015 compared to just 17 per cent in 2008, progress has plateaued in recent years, with indications that the rate may now be declining.

Keep ReadingShow less
Lioncroft Wholesale founder made Aston University’s new Chancellor

Lioncroft Wholesale founder made Aston University’s new Chancellor

Birmingham entrepreneur and leading wholesale figure Dr Jason Wouhra OBE has been officially installed as Aston University’s new Chancellor.

Dr Wouhra, Aston University’s youngest Chancellor and the first of Asian heritage, was presented with the chancellor’s chain at the beginning of the University’s first winter graduation which was held at Symphony Hall in Birmingham city centre. Spread across three ceremonies, approximately 4,500 graduates and guests attended the event.

Keep ReadingShow less
New buying group shares future vision

New buying group shares future vision

In addition to announcing six brand new members within the first week of January, the new buying group The Wholesale Group last week hosted two briefing events for senior suppliers where it shared details of its plans and future vision.

The senior supplier briefing event, held at Soho Hotel, London last week, saw more than 50 channel directors in attendance plus 150 representatives from leading FMCG suppliers, across all product categories.

Keep ReadingShow less
vape pen
Photo: iStock

Safer alternatives to cigarettes could save millions of lives and billions of pounds, says think tank

Promoting safer alternatives to cigarettes could save 19 million years of life by 2030 and reduce smoking-related costs to taxpayers by up to £12.6 billion annually, a new report from the Adam Smith Institute (ASI) has revealed.

The think tank argues that the UK government's current approach to achieving a Smoke Free 2030 - defined as reducing smoking rates to 5 per cent or lower - is both illiberal and unworkable and will significantly set back progress against smoking related harm. The ASI warns that policies such as a generational tobacco ban, a new tax on vapes, and restrictions on heated tobacco products and flavours will hinder harm reduction efforts.

Keep ReadingShow less