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NHS COVID-19 app

On 1 July 2020, the NHS COVID-19 app became part of the Department of Health and Social Care's NHS Test and Trace Programme.

The NHS COVID-19 app launched across England and Wales on 24 September 2020 after positive trials and rigorous testing, and is an important tool to work alongside traditional contact tracing to help reduce the spread of the virus.

It is available to those aged 16 and over in multiple languages. It forms a central part of the NHS Test and Trace service in England and the NHS Wales Test, Trace, Protect programme - identifying contacts of those who have tested positive for coronavirus.

The contact tracing element of the app works by using low-energy Bluetooth to log the amount of time you spend near other app users, and the distance between you, so it can alert you if someone you have been close to later tests positive for COVID-19 – even if you don’t know each other. 

The app will advise you to self-isolate if you have been in close contact with a confirmed case. It will also enable you to check symptoms, book a free test if needed and get your test results.

The app has been designed with user privacy in mind, so it tracks the virus not people, and uses the latest in data security technology to protect privacy. The system generates a random ID for an individual’s device, which can be exchanged between devices via Bluetooth (not GPS). These unique random IDs regenerate frequently to add an extra layer of security and preserve anonymity. 

The app does not hold personal information such as your name, address or date of birth, and only requires the first half of your postcode to ensure local outbreaks can be managed. No personal data is shared with the government or the NHS. 

As well as contact tracing, the app has a range of additional, enhanced features that will help to reduce personal and public risk from COVID-19 as part of the wider testing and contact tracing service:

  • Alert: letting users know the level of coronavirus risk in their postcode district
  • QR check-in: enabling users to check-in at a venue and alerting them if they have recently visited somewhere they may have come into contact with someone who later tests positive for COVID-19
  • Symptoms: allowing users to check if they have coronavirus symptoms and see if they need to order a free test 
  • Test: helping users book a free test through the app and get results to know whether they have COVID-19
  • Isolate: if a user is told to self-isolate, a timer feature will help count down that period and access will be provided to relevant advice

Visit the NHS website to download the NHS COVID-19 app.