Support the NHS with the new Test and Trace app

Today, the NHS in England and Public Health Wales launched their brand new COVID-19 app. It’s the latest tool in the battle against Coronavirus and in protecting those we love and our wider communities. And the more people who download it, the more effective it is.

Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said, ‘“…There is no silver bullet when it comes to stopping the spread of Coronavirus, but today’s launch marks an important step forward in our fight against this invisible killer and I urge everyone who can, to download and use the app to protect themselves and their loved ones.”

We want to show our support by zero-rating the data when you use the app. So, you can use it as much as you want, without it affecting your allowance.

The app is designed and tested by experts from Apple, Google and the UK Government. Download it today from Google Play or the App Store.

• It allows you to check in through a QR code while you’re going about your daily activities. From today, all businesses are legally required to display posters showing QR codes.
• It’ll alert you if you’ve been in contact with someone who tests positive for Coronavirus. You’ll be asked to isolate to protect those around you and to save lives.
• It gives you a list of the Coronavirus symptoms and an option to book a test at the nearest test centre.
• It helps the NHS identify if the virus is spreading in a certain area. And it can warn you about the risk level in your own postcode.

Plus, it’s totally anonymous. No-one will have access to any details or be able to identify who or where an app user is. 

The app technology

The app uses Bluetooth Low Energy with the smartphone’s own ‘Exposure Logging’ feature. It’ll detect if a person has been near another user who was tested positive with Coronavirus.

Alerting others

Any app user who has tested positive for Coronavirus can choose to alert other users. A random and unique ID will then be used to notify those who were in close contact with that person. This means that the privacy and identity of all users is protected.

In this together

Every contact that the app traces will help stop the spread of Coronavirus and save lives.

If you live in Scotland, make sure you check out the Protect Scotland app page. It’s also got links to download the app through Google Play and the App Store.

For Northern Ireland, take a look at the StopCOVID NI Mobile App page. You can also download the app and start using it straight away.

Right now, our zero-rating only applies to the NHS COVID-19 app in England and Wales. However, we’re also speaking to the governments in Scotland and Northern Ireland about their national apps. We’ll update you with any changes.

To find out more details on using the NHS COVID-19 app in England and Wales, visit NHS COVID-19 app support.