As restrictions have eased further and non-essential businesses reopen, people of Wolverhampton are reminded to use the NHS Covid-19 app when they’re out and about in the city.

 The free NHS Covid-19 app is a vital part of controlling the spread of coronavirus. It offers a range of tools to support and protect people, including venue check-in, contact tracing and useful information.

 As more places reopen across the city, and businesses and organisations are encouraged to support contact tracing, hospitality venues that have reopened with an outdoor service will ask everyone to check-in using the app. Previously just one member of each group was asked to check in but under new guidelines every customer is asked to check in either by via the app, or by leaving their contact details with staff.

 The app will also let you know if you have been near other users who have tested positive for the virus, or if you have visited a venue where you may have come into close contact with someone with coronavirus.

 As well as this, it contains a coronavirus symptom checker and people with symptoms can use it to book a test. It also has a countdown timer for anyone self-isolating.

 John Denley, Wolverhampton’s Director of Public Health, said: “The NHS Covid-19 app is a vital tool in controlling the spread of the virus as we begin reopening our city.

 “I urge everyone to download the free app onto their phones to help protect yourself and others around you. It’s the quickest way of knowing whether you have been at risk of catching the virus from someone else.

 “As restrictions are eased and more places reopen the app is being widely used across the city to check-in to venues, so everyone in a group should be prepared to do so. Having the app on your phone will make the process a lot quicker.”

 The NHS Covid-19 App is free and has been downloaded more than 20m times from the Google and Apple app stores.  It does not share personal data or track you, and uses low energy Bluetooth, so will not drain your battery.

 For more information about the app, visit: https://covid19.nhs.uk/