An anti-vaccine group has encouraged campaigners to cover test and protect QR codes across Edinburgh with links to dangerous online conspiracy theories.
Lothians-based organisers of Covid-sceptic group The White Rose has created a series of leaflets designed to mimic NHS literature on information regarding the pandemic, customising the digital imprints to redirect to sites peddling myths about the disease.
Several posts purporting to be from the group - believed to be named after an underground resistance opposing the Nazis in Germany during the Second World War - bear slogans objecting to coronavirus as ‘the biggest scam in history’ have already appeared in various locations around the region.
However, communications sent via the encrypted messaging app Telegram, seen by Edinburgh Live, instruct the small band of members to print out the codes on sticker paper and affix them to existing test and protect banners that link users to the Check-in Scotland online portal.
Bars, galleries, shops and a variety of public spaces use the system to aid track and trace efforts by identifying locations where those later testing positive have been.
The app then alerts other users who have been in the vicinity and advises them on further steps, such as whether they are required to self-isolate.
Codes created by the anti-vax group however instead send those scanning the readable labels to a website making a series of disturbing claims on everything from the validity of the vaccines to the existence of the pandemic worldwide.
Material distributed by the group uses official NHS logos and imagery promising an “important update” relating to the pandemic.
Another sticker spotted in East Lothian reads: “All they had to do to strip you of your freedom was rebrand the flu and convince you that it is a threat to your existence.”
Scottish Government chiefs have warned the public to be on their guard against misinformation, urging anyone who encounters the malicious codes to report them immediately.
A spokesman said: “Anti-vaccination groups pose a real and present threat to the fight against this pandemic and aggressive behaviour, in any form, will not be tolerated.
“We urge everyone to make sure they are getting their information from trusted sources when they are offered the vaccine.
“The vaccines are safe, approved by regulators, and we encourage everyone to get theirs once offered. If people come across any Check in Scotland QR codes in hospitality that take them to any website other than the Check in Scotland page, we would recommend that they report this to the people working in the venue.”
He added: “Our view on the importance of vaccination is shared by far and away most people in Scotland and we have some of the highest uptake rates in Europe for our national programmes. However, no-one will be compelled to take the vaccine, it remains voluntary for everyone.”
Data from Public Health Scotland (PHS) revealed a record number of people across Scotland have tested positive for covid-19 in the latest 24-hour period.
A total of 999 originated in the NHS Lothian health board area with more than 500 of those positive cases registered in Edinburgh.
Concerns have also been raised over White Rose activity in Manchester and Essex where anti-vax propaganda was plastered around various towns last month.
Dona Milne, Director of Public Health at NHS Lothian said: “It is important that people have access to accurate, up to date and professionally verified information regarding COVID-19 and the COVID vaccine.
“The NHS Inform website has a range of helpful information covering COVID-19 and is a really great resource. In addition, our trained vaccination teams are on hand to answer any questions people may have both before and after they receive their COVID vaccination.
“Our biggest defence against COVID-19 is our vaccination programme, which is why we are encouraging everyone to get vaccinated as soon as they are invited to an appointment or pop in to one of our drop-in clinics. There are multiple drop-in centres now running across Lothian to make it easier than ever to get vaccinated.”
She added: “Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect ourselves, our family and friends and those who are most at risk from becoming ill from the virus”
