Pendle hospitality businesses urged to download QR codes for new Test and Trace app

The NHS COVID-19 app is launching today which includes QR check-in at venues.

QR codes will be an important way for NHS Test and Trace to contact multiple people if anyone tests positive at a venue.

Coun. Mohammed Iqbal, leader of Pendle Council, said: “Businesses are now required by law to collect and store contact details for 21 days.

“Using QR codes will help you to meet this new legal requirement of recording the contact details of customers, visitors and staff who visit your premises.”

Businesses can download the QR code posters via Pendle Council’s website – www.pendle.gov.uk/covidsupport

These need to be visible as customers enter the building or can be on a display screen such as a TV or tablet.

Coun. David Whipp, deputy leader of Pendle Council, explained: “It’s vitally important that venues, such as pubs, restaurants, hairdressers and cafes across Pendle collect good quality contact details so that we can stop any outbreak in their tracks.

“The QR system is a free and easy way to check-in customers and we’re encouraging all businesses to get involved and download and display the official NHS QR code posters.”

Customers who’ve downloaded the NHS COVID-19 app can then use their smartphones to check-in.

Michael Duck, commercial team leader in Environmental Health, is working with local businesses to ensure they are doing all they can to be COVID-Secure, including collecting contact details correctly.

He said: “You don’t have to use the QR code way of checking-in. As long as you have good working systems in place you can continue to use them.

“But the QR system makes it much easier to gather and mange this information and I would encourage you to adopt it.”

When someone enters a venue and scans an official QR poster, the venue information will be logged on the user’s phone.

This information will stay on a user’s phone for 21 days and if during that time a coronavirus outbreak is identified at a location, customers will get an alert with advice on what to do based on the level of risk.