NHS COVID-19 app
Fact sheet for parents,
carers and those who
are 16 and over
All of the information and images in this document are correct as of 24th September 2020.
For the latest information go to www.covid19.nhs.uk.
The app has 6 key features that support you:
Trace Check-in Alert
This feature is contact tracing. This feature is a check-in function. This feature is for area risk alerts.
It allows the app to detect and The app allows you to record when When you first register for the app
log other nearby app users using you visit a venue by “checking-in” you will be asked for the first half of
random unique IDs. No personal when you arrive, using an official your postcode. The app will tell you
data is shared between your phone NHS QR poster. whether the area that you live in is
and anyone else’s phone. a high risk area for coronavirus. If
The app will provide you with a your area risk changes at any point,
If any of those users later test digital diary of places you have the app will notify you. This could
positive for coronavirus (COVID-19), visited. This stays on your phone help you make decisions to protect
you will receive an exposure alert and you can delete it. It means that your loved ones.
with advice on what to do. If you you can receive an alert with public
are under 18, you are advised to health advice if you have been to
show this alert to a trusted adult. venue where you may have come
into contact with coronavirus.
Symptoms Test Isolate
This feature is a coronavirus This feature will help you book This feature is an isolation
symptom checker. If you feel a test. If you have coronavirus ‘companion’. It counts down how
unwell, you can use the app to symptoms, the app will take you many days you have left to isolate if
check if your symptoms could be to a website where you can book a you have been advised to do so. It
related to coronavirus. The app test to see if you have coronavirus also provides links to useful advice.
will give you a list of potential or not. If you are under 18, you are It will tell you when you have
symptoms and you can then choose advised to discuss with a trusted reached the end of your isolation
the ones that apply to you. adult before booking a test. period.
If your symptoms could be
coronavirus, you will be advised to
self-isolate and book a test.
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NHS COVID-19 app fact sheet
The app In education settings Notifications Privacy
• The NHS COVID-19 app has • When in an education setting, a • If the app identifies a user has • The app will not hold any
launched nationally and is user may be advised to turn the been in close contact with a personal information. It cannot
available to everyone aged 16 contact tracing function off. This confirmed case of coronavirus, track a user’s location. It cannot
and over in England and Wales. does not mean turning off app the user will: be used to access a user’s
• The app will help the NHS alerts, but instead turning off • receive an exposure alert with identity or any other information
understand where and how the app’s ability to trace who a advice on what to do on user’s phone.
quickly the virus is spreading, so user has spent time near. • All users can delete the NHS
• be advised to self isolate
it can respond effectively. • By turning this function off it COVID-19 app at any time. This
• If a user who is 16-18 years old
• We want as many people as will, for example, ensure that will also delete all data stored on
receives an alert, they should
possible to download and use phones near each other in app.
notify a trusted adult. When
the app. Every person who lockers do not record contacts
they are in an education setting,
does will be helping in the fight with each other when they are
this trusted adult should be a
against coronavirus (COVID-19). not with their owners.
member of staff who will then
• Although those aged 16 • Users will be given the option follow official guidelines.
and over can use the app in to pause the contact tracing
• Parents or carers should inform
education settings, the main feature for different time periods
the relevant educational setting
benefit is outside that, when so that app users can receive a
if their child tests positive for
they are socialising, using public reminder to turn contact tracing
coronavirus. They should do this
transport or in a public space. back on after that time.
whether or not their child is an
app user.
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For more information please visit:
www.covid19.nhs.uk
