A new app to collect information for contact tracing has launched across venues in Scotland.
More than 6,400 venues have so far signed up to use the Scottish Government's voluntary service to help them effectively collect the contact details of their visitors and customers.
It is designed to complement the the separate Protect Scotland app, which alerts users if they have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
Follow live updates from across Glasgow as restrictions ease and shops and hospitality reopen
How does it work?
The Check in Scotland service will enable people to quickly and securely provide their contact details by scanning the official Test & Protect Check in Scotland QR code poster via their smartphone camera or by downloading the Check in Scotland app.
Any contact details collected will be held in a secure, encrypted data store unique to each venue for 21 days. Unless information is requested by public health officials as part of their contact tracing efforts, visitor data is automatically deleted on day 22. Venue and visitor details will not be used for any other purpose.
Alerts will be sent by SMS, email or letter depending on what details users provide and will be clearly marked as being from NHS Scotland Test and Protect.
It is not like the Protect Scotland app: That service swaps anonymous random IDs with other app users who have been within two metres of you for 15 minutes or more using Bluetooth.
Which places will be using the Check In Scotland service?
- pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes
- tourism and leisure businesses, such as theme parks, museums and cinemas
- close contact services, including hairdressers, barbers, beauticians, tattooists, sports and massage therapists
- services run by local councils, such as libraries, leisure centres and registration offices
- cremation authorities, burial authorities, places of worship or funeral director service rooms offering funeral services
- places of worship
Why is it being launched?
It's an easy way for businesses to collect contact details for contact tracing purposes – and should help trace people faster if there are covid cases linked to a venue.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Gregor Smith said: “As travel, retail and hospitality restrictions begin to ease and venues start to re-open, it’s vital that any close contacts of new positive cases can be quickly contacted and given advice to self-isolate.
“Check in Scotland is designed to give businesses an easy way to collect contact details from customers for contact tracing purposes. It is entirely voluntary and up to individual venues to decide what method they prefer to use to collect the required contact details
“Together with the Protect Scotland app, Check in Scotland will help contact tracers reach people faster if there are coronavirus (COVID-19) cases linked to a venue they have recently visited.
“The faster we can contact people who might have been exposed to COVID-19, the faster we can stop the spread of the virus, and keep moving towards the return of everyday activities.”
People will only be advised to self-isolate if contact tracers believe they were in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. Otherwise they may be advised to watch out for symptoms of COVID-19, and to book a test only if they or someone in their household displays symptoms.
How can I get it?
You can download the Check In Scotland app on Google or the App Store.
