Dumfries and Galloway Chamber of Commerce has launched its own track and trace app for the region’s business community.
It comes as firms are getting set to reopen after the latest lockdown but will still need to collect customer data.
President Kenny Bowie told the Standard the initiative is the latest measure rolled out by DGChamber which has been supporting its 200 members and the wider business community since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said: “It will help give both visitors and customers confidence to return to our businesses across the region knowing that their information is going to be held and managed in a secure way.
“DGChamber will act as data controller, meaning it’s one thing less for businesses to worry about. They can just get on with the business of reopening.”
The app is available free to DGChamber members and at a £15 one-off charge to other businesses in the region.
Mr Bowie said the new DGProtect Track and Trace app gives business owners a platform to securely check customers in, and collect the data needed to support the Scottish Government’s Test and Protect Programme.
Visitors simply scan a QR code with a smartphone on entry and input their contact information to be held securely for use if required by NHS Scotland.
This means that after the first sign-in, they can check in easily and securely each time they visit a café, restaurant, hotel or visitor attraction which is using the app.
Lee Medd, membership services manager, added: “We expect this app to be really popular and well used by the regions cafes, restaurants and pubs. But it’s not just for hospitality, it can be used for visitor attractions or any firm which may have contractors or visitors coming into their premises.
