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Industry leaders have urged all firms in UK construction to lead the way in ensuring the widest possible uptake of the NHS COVID-19 app.
The app which launched today (24 Sep) in England and Wales, will enable QR check-in at venues and sites. And will be an important way for NHS Test and Trace in England and NHS Test, Trace, Protect in Wales to contact multiple people when coronavirus outbreaks are identified.
Commenting, Co-Chair of the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) Andy Mitchell CBE said: “We believe the construction industry can lead the way in encouraging the widest possible rollout of this app, which will be vital in our national fight against COVID-19 in the weeks and months ahead.
“Construction is uniquely placed in that we have been operating throughout the pandemic using Site Operating Procedures to ensure COVID-secure environments, a model of safety best practice that has been taken up in other sectors and across the world.
“In addition, as well as employing some 2.3 million people, our industry is highly visible to the public in all parts of England and Wales.
“That’s why we are urging all employers in our sector to ensure QR codes are displayed prominently on sites and in workplaces, and that steps are taken to encourage employees to download the app and use it regularly on a daily basis.
“Throughout this emergency, the construction industry has risen to the challenge of keeping the economy going while protecting the safety of our workforce.
“The NHS COVID-19 app will be another weapon in our armoury to ensure that where coronavirus outbreaks do occur, those who have been exposed are able to contacted and told to isolate, which will be key to suppressing this disease over the next six months.”
The contact tracing element of the app works by using low-energy Bluetooth to log the amount of time you spend near other app users, and the distance between you, so it can alert you if someone you have been close to later tests positive for COVID-19, even if you don’t know each other.
The app will advise you to self-isolate if you have been in close contact with a confirmed case. It will also enable you to check symptoms, book a free test if needed and get your test results.
