Introducing the NHS COVID-19 app
All of the information and images in this document are correct as of 24th September 2020. For more information on the NHS COVID-19 app visit www.covid19.nhs.uk Supporting the national effort
How the app will help in the fight against the pandemic
The NHS COVID-19 app is part The app will help the NHS of our large scale coronavirus understand if the virus is spreading (COVID-19) testing and contact in a particular area, and so local tracing programme called the NHS authorities can respond quickly to Test and Trace service in England stop it spreading further and save and the NHS Wales Test, Trace, lives. Protect service in Wales. The app will be used, alongside traditional The app does this while protecting a contact tracing, to help notify users user’s anonymity. Nobody, including NHS COVID-19 app if they have come into contact with the government, will know who or someone who tests positive for where a particular user is. coronavirus.
The app allows people to report symptoms, order a coronavirus test, National check in to venues by scanning a QR code and it helps the NHS trace effort individuals that have coronavirus.
Contact tracing Virus testing
2 NHS COVID-19 app Protect your loved ones
The importance of the app Benefits of app contact tracing Every person who downloads the app will be helping in the fight The app helps trace app users who against coronavirus (COVID-19). have spent time near other app users, who they may not personally The app will help the NHS know, and who later test positive understand where and how quickly for coronavirus. the virus is spreading, so it can respond quickly and effectively. The The “Check-in” feature supports app helps the NHS track the virus, this functionality by anonymously not individuals. alerting users who have been at the same venue at the same time.
App data App contact tracing reduces the time it takes to alert those who you The app will not track you or your have been in close contact with. location. Instead your postcode district helps the app work out where the virus is spreading.
Your postcode district is the first part of your postcode, which is common to about 8,000 other households. When you first download the app, you will be asked for your postcode district.
3 How the app supports you The app has key features that will provide you maximum freedom and minimum risk
If you choose to download the app, there are six key features that will help you and your community.
They will help to reduce your personal risk and the public’s risk too. Trace Alert Check-in
For contact tracing, the app detects When you first register for the app The app allows you to record when and logs other nearby app users you will be asked for the first half of you visit a venue by “checking-in” using random unique IDs. your postcode. You can check the when you arrive, using the venue’s app every day to see whether where QR code. If any of those users later test you live has become a high risk area positive for coronavirus (COVID-19), for coronavirus. The app records the time you spend you will receive an exposure alert at the venue without recording with advice on what to do. If you If it is, you will also receive a any personal information. You will are under 18, you are advised to notification to let you know. receive an alert, if you have recently show this alert to a trusted adult. This will help you make daily visited a venue where you have decisions to protect yourself and come into contact with coronavirus. those you love.
4 How the app supports you The app has key features that will provide you maximum freedom and minimum risk
If you choose to download the app, there are six key features that will help you and your community.
They will help to reduce your personal risk and the public’s risk too. Symptoms Test Isolate
If you feel unwell, you can use the If you have coronavirus symptoms, If you have been advised by the app app to check if your symptoms the app will take you to a website to self-isolate, the app provides a could be related to coronavirus where you can book a test to see if countdown timer so that you can (COVID-19). you have coronavirus or not. keep track of how long you need to self-isolate. The app will give you a list of potential symptoms and you can When you reach the end of your then choose the ones that apply self-isolation period, the app will to you. It will then tell you if your send you a notification reminder symptoms suggest you have with a link to the latest advice coronavirus. for you. If you are under 18, you are advised to show this message to a trusted adult.
5 How the app works Partnering with Google and Apple to create an app that helps in the fight against coronavirus
The app technology In this together The NHS COVID-19 app uses your Every additional contact that the smartphone’s existing “Exposure app traces will improve our existing Logging” feature to work out if contact tracing service and help you have spent time near other app stop the spread of coronavirus. users who have tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19).
For this to work, your Bluetooth needs to be turned on: this will not drain your battery as the app uses “Bluetooth Low Energy”.
Alerting others An app user who tests positive for coronavirus can choose if they want other app users to be alerted. A random unique ID will then be used to alert other app users who were in close contact with that person. This ensures that the positive user’s privacy and identity is protected.
6 What to do if I have symptoms? You can use the app to check if your symptoms mean that you should be tested
If you feel unwell, you What happens after I have should use the app to entered my symptoms? check if your symptoms When you have answered the could be related to questions, you can check them coronavirus (COVID-19). before you submit this information to the app.
The app will then tell you if your How do I enter my symptoms could be caused by symptoms into the app? coronavirus and will provide a link You can enter your symptoms into to the website where you can book the app by tapping the “Report a free test. If you are under 18, you Symptoms” button. are advised to show this message to a trusted adult. The app will give you a list of potential symptoms and you can Until you receive your test results, then choose the ones that apply please follow the app’s guidance on to you. self-isolation.
7 Positive test result Easy access to your test results and advice on what to do next
What happens if I have a If you decide to send alerts, NHS positive test result? doctors and scientists use an algorithm to work out how close If you test positive for coronavirus you need to be to someone with (COVID-19), the app will tell you to the virus, to be at risk. self-isolate. If you are under 18, you are advised to show the alert to a A random unique ID will then be trusted adult. It is really important used to anonymously alert other that you stay at home during this app users who you were in close time. The app will help you keep contact with on the days before track of your isolation period with a you developed symptoms. countdown timer showing you how No personal details about you are much longer you need to keep self- revealed with this alert and your isolating. The app will also provide privacy and identity are always links to advice from the NHS on protected. coronavirus and on what to do if you feel unwell. App users receiving this alert will be given official NHS advice on what to do next. You may also be What does my positive contacted by the NHS Test and test result mean for other Trace service in England and the members of the public? NHS Wales Test, Trace, Protect service in Wales and asked to If you test positive for coronavirus, complete a form about who you then you can choose if you want know you’ve been in contact with other app users to be alerted. recently.
8 Your personal privacy and data How privacy and data are protected
Protecting your privacy and Your data is safe and secure identity The app will not hold any personal The NHS will securely send data information about you or track your to your phone. For example, this location. data might be information about a change in risk level for your The app cannot be used: postcode district. This data is used to alert you if you are at risk of • to identify you getting coronavirus (COVID-19) • to track you from other app users who have • to check if you are self-isolating been near you. • by law enforcement The app uses random unique IDs to detect other NHS COVID-19 app users so that alerts can be Experts from the Government, sent. Using these random IDs Apple, Google and industry have means that your interactions with helped to design, test and improve other app users remain private. the app.
All records, such as date, time and The National Cyber Security Centre how near you are to other users, also checks that the app is safe and are stored on your phone only. secure to use. You can also delete the app and all the data it stores, whenever you choose.
9 Your personal privacy and data The app is developed with your privacy and security in mind
Can the app see my phone What data is logged with contacts? “Check-in” feature? No. The app does not have access When you check into a venue, to your phone contacts or any other data will be held on your phone. personal information held on your This includes the time and date of phone. This includes your name, your check-in and an identifier for contacts, email addresses or phone the venue. numbers, or the specific details of your phone. The app will automatically delete your list of check-ins every 21 days, Your privacy and identity are secure. but you can also choose to delete this list whenever you want. More information about data and privacy can be found at If other people were at the same www.covid19.nhs.uk. venue at a similar time to you, and later test positive for coronavirus, you may receive an alert to let you know.
10 Common questions Your questions answered
What does the random Can I identify an app user Why does the app need my Will the app work if my unique ID used for contact who has tested positive for postcode district? phone is locked? tracing look like? coronavirus (COVID-19)? When you download the app you The app will work while your phone The random unique IDs are codes No. The app does not allow you will be asked to submit a postcode is locked, as long as the phone made up of letters and numbers. to identify any app users that test district. This means that the first is switched on and Bluetooth is These are shared between phones positive for coronavirus. Random part of your postcode is shared enabled. An exception to this is if and they change every 15 to 20 unique IDs are used to make sure with the NHS. you have just restarted your phone, minutes. They cannot be used to that the identity and privacy of you must first unlock the phone to identify users or their phones. anyone using the app is protected. A postcode district generally trigger the app to start working. contains about 8,000 addresses, This is only required on restart and However, users are advised to keep which means that your specific you don’t need to open the app. Can I delete the app? their phone secure as alerts on the location cannot be identified. app will be visible to those who can You will always be able to delete access your phone. The app will use your postcode Why do I need to turn on the app whenever you want. district to tell you if the area is notifications? Some data remains, as determined at risk. by your phone’s operating system, Will the app drain my Notifications are used for certain but the app and the data it contains battery? The NHS will use the postcode features of the app to work, such is deleted. district to: as contact tracing. If you have spent The app uses “Bluetooth Low time near another app user who Once you have deleted the app you Energy” and will have minimal • predict and manage local later tests positive for coronavirus, will no longer receive notifications impact on your mobile phone hospital services your phone will use notifications or alerts. battery, especially if you normally • improve the app and make sure to send you an alert Please turn on have Bluetooth enabled. it is working notifications if you are are asked to do so.
To see more answers to “Common Questions” visit: www.covid19.nhs.uk 11 Common questions Your questions answered
Do you need Bluetooth for When and why do I need to Why do I need to update the app to work? check into a venue? my phone’s operating system? Yes. The app uses “Bluetooth If you enter a venue (for example, Low Energy” to work. When you a shop, a restaurant or a salon) In order for the NHS COVID-19 app download the app, you will need to that has an official QR poster at to work, you will need the latest allow the “Exposure Notifications” the entrance, you should scan the version of your phone’s operating service from Apple and Google. QR code using the camera through system installed. your app. This is because Bluetooth allows For Apple phones, you will need your app to record the random You will be prompted with a versions 13.5 or higher. Android IDs of other app users who have message to give your permission phones will need Marshmallow or spent time near you. This is known before it is used. version 6.0 or higher. as “Exposure Logging“ and this technology makes contact tracing You will then receive an alert, if you For guidance on other phones and work as long as your phone’s have recently visited a venue where instructions on how to upgrade Bluetooth remains switched on. you have come into contact with your operating system, go to coronavirus (COVID-19). “Common Questions” on the website at: www.covid19.nhs.uk.
To see more answers to “Common Questions” visit: www.covid19.nhs.uk 12 For more information please visit: www.covid19.nhs.uk