Everyone will now have to check in on Test and Trace app

Ahead of the reopening of hospitality and retail on 12 April, changes to the way that the public check in to venues and shops on the NHS Test and Trace app have been made.

The updates to the app have come into effect to coincide with the availability of rapid lateral flow tests for everyone in England. The new regulations now state that everyone in a group must check in when they arrive at a venue, either by scanning an NHS QR code poster on the app or by providing your contact details. This differs from the original requirement for only the lead member of the group to check in.

As users who have a positive coronavirus test result will be required to share their venue history privately on the app, it is hoped that a venue will be alerted faster and local outbreaks will be able to be contained more easily. If a person has been at a venue on the same day as someone who has since tested positive, they may receive an alert telling them to book a PCR test, whether they are showing symptoms or not.

All venues in England will be given new QR posters to display, which the government says are clearer and easier to use.