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Coronavirus: How does contact tracing work? Coronavirus: How does contact tracing work?
(12 days later)
People who have been in close contact with someone found to have Covid-19 are now being traced and asked to self-isolate for a fortnight.People who have been in close contact with someone found to have Covid-19 are now being traced and asked to self-isolate for a fortnight.
But what happens when someone who went to the same pub or restaurant as you tests positive?But what happens when someone who went to the same pub or restaurant as you tests positive?
How does contact tracing work in England?How does contact tracing work in England?
If you develop coronavirus symptoms and test positive, you'll be contacted by text, email or phone and asked to log on to the NHS Test and Trace website.If you develop coronavirus symptoms and test positive, you'll be contacted by text, email or phone and asked to log on to the NHS Test and Trace website.
There you must give personal information, including:There you must give personal information, including:
Close contacts are:Close contacts are:
Contact must have taken place within a nine-day period, starting 48 hours before symptoms appeared.Contact must have taken place within a nine-day period, starting 48 hours before symptoms appeared.
No-one contacted will be told your identity.No-one contacted will be told your identity.
A parent or guardian must give permission for a call with under-18s to continue.A parent or guardian must give permission for a call with under-18s to continue.
Must I provide contact details if eating out?Must I provide contact details if eating out?
Organisations in certain sectors - like pubs and restaurants - must collect and keep customer details for 21 days.Organisations in certain sectors - like pubs and restaurants - must collect and keep customer details for 21 days.
It's because there's a higher risk of transmitting Covid-19 in public places - both inside and outdoors - where people are near others they don't live with.It's because there's a higher risk of transmitting Covid-19 in public places - both inside and outdoors - where people are near others they don't live with.
Giving personal information is voluntary and it's not the venue's responsibility to ensure it's correct. Giving personal information is voluntary and it is not the venue's responsibility to ensure it's correct.
If a customer tests positive, will the pub or restaurant have to close?If a customer tests positive, will the pub or restaurant have to close?
Possibly, but not necessarily.Possibly, but not necessarily.
Official government advice says an NHS Test and Trace call does not always mean a pub or restaurant must close.Official government advice says an NHS Test and Trace call does not always mean a pub or restaurant must close.
It depends on the circumstances and when the infected person visited.It depends on the circumstances and when the infected person visited.
NHS Test and Trace could ask staff to:NHS Test and Trace could ask staff to:
Local health protection officials have the power to close establishments.Local health protection officials have the power to close establishments.
A few pubs in England, which reopened on 4 July, have closed after customers tested positive. Pubs in England have been allowed to reopen since 4 July, although a couple had to temporarily close after customers tested positive.
What if I am contacted?What if I am contacted?
Anyone deemed at risk of infection must stay at home for 14 days from their point of contact with the infected person.Anyone deemed at risk of infection must stay at home for 14 days from their point of contact with the infected person.
You must self-isolate, even if you don't have symptoms, to prevent the virus spreading.You must self-isolate, even if you don't have symptoms, to prevent the virus spreading.
You should order food or medicine online or by phone, or ask friends and family to leave it on your doorstep.You should order food or medicine online or by phone, or ask friends and family to leave it on your doorstep.
Other people you live with won't have to self-isolate, unless they also develop symptoms, but they must take extra care around you regarding social distancing and hand washing.Other people you live with won't have to self-isolate, unless they also develop symptoms, but they must take extra care around you regarding social distancing and hand washing.
Do I have to self-isolate?Do I have to self-isolate?
It's currently voluntary. But the Department of Health says it may check up on people and could impose fines.It's currently voluntary. But the Department of Health says it may check up on people and could impose fines.
How is the tracing scheme going?How is the tracing scheme going?
The scheme - which the prime minister claimed would be "world-beating" - was launched on 28 May. From then until 8 July:The scheme - which the prime minister claimed would be "world-beating" - was launched on 28 May. From then until 8 July:
The proportion of people reached and asked to self-isolate has been falling since the programme launched.The proportion of people reached and asked to self-isolate has been falling since the programme launched.
Sage, which advises the government, has said that at least 80% of contacts would need to isolate for the test and trace system to be effective.Sage, which advises the government, has said that at least 80% of contacts would need to isolate for the test and trace system to be effective.
While the overall figure is above 80%, figures for the last three weeks have been below that level.While the overall figure is above 80%, figures for the last three weeks have been below that level.
Plans for an app were abandoned in mid-June, with ministers now working towards a model based on Apple and Google technology.Plans for an app were abandoned in mid-June, with ministers now working towards a model based on Apple and Google technology.
Privacy campaigners say England's tracing scheme has broken a key data protection law. The government conceded the initiative was launched without carrying out an assessment of its impact on privacy - but said there was no evidence of data being used unlawfully.
What about other parts of the UK?What about other parts of the UK?
Northern Ireland's contact tracing operates exclusively by phone. Northern Ireland has a phone-based contact tracing system, and is launching an app. Residents can also use an app released by the Republic of Ireland.
Scotland's system is called NHS Test and Protect, while Wales's ''test, trace, protect'' system launched on 1 June.Scotland's system is called NHS Test and Protect, while Wales's ''test, trace, protect'' system launched on 1 June.
How do I avoid scammers?How do I avoid scammers?
England's NHS Test and Trace service will only call from 0300 0135 000. It will not ask you:England's NHS Test and Trace service will only call from 0300 0135 000. It will not ask you:
What about sick pay?What about sick pay?
If people can't work from home, the government says employers must ensure any self-isolating employee receives sick pay and let them use paid leave days if they prefer.If people can't work from home, the government says employers must ensure any self-isolating employee receives sick pay and let them use paid leave days if they prefer.
Self-employed people who are self-isolating but can't work from home can apply for an income support scheme grant, the government says, although this is designed to cover three months' worth of profits.Self-employed people who are self-isolating but can't work from home can apply for an income support scheme grant, the government says, although this is designed to cover three months' worth of profits.