NHS Test and Trace QR codes

As of the 24 September the NHS will launch the NHS COVID-19 app which has a check-in feature enabling a venue to register for an official NHS QR code and allows users to ‘check-in’ to participating venues on their app by scanning that code.

Venues in England that are expected to maintain customer logs should now ensure that official NHS QR code posters are available for customers to use. This does not include hospitals, GP practices, dentists and community pharmacies. However, venues that are not currently expected to maintain customer logs are encouraged to display official NHS QR code posters if they have indoor areas where visitors are likely to congregate or sit-down in close contact for 15 minutes or more.

It is felt by most NHS service providers that QR codes should be displayed in NHS buildings as there are many visitors who also attend NHS premises and reputationally it could be taken that we are not supporting the App.
These QR code posters are a quick, simple and secure way for visitors to ‘check-in’ to the venue(s) using the app. If people ‘check-in’ using the app then venues in England do not need to collect those visitors’ details but realistically there will be a need to maintain a paper based ‘check in’ at venues for people who do not have a smart phone.

NHSPS will create and display the QR posters at all sites for which we have responsibility for the ‘common areas’ as these are areas where people are likely to be in close contact for more than 15 minutes. This will now form part of the ‘COVID secure’ risk assessment we complete for common areas of buildings, ‘under our control’.

We will also create and display QR codes for all of our catering venues (cafes etc) where seating is available.

To register your building and create a specific QR code for it, you with need to go to: gov.uk/create-coronavirus-qr-poster. It only takes a couple of minutes to create these posters and then you should display at all entrances.

How to create a QR poster

Take a look at this eight step guide to creating a QR poster for your venue.

To register for a QR code, you need your contact details, contact details of the person responsible for the venue (if that is not you) and a printer.

You will need to print copies to display at every entrance in your building. If you have more than one building, you will need a different QR poster for each.

Read the guidance
infographic on how to create a QR poster for a venue

Introducing the NHS COVID-19 App

The NHS COVID-19 app is part of our large scale coronavirus (COVID-19) testing and contact tracing programme called the NHS Test and Trace service in England and the NHS Wales Test, Trace, Protect service in Wales.

The app allows people to report symptoms, order a coronavirus test, check in to venues by scanning a QR code and it helps the NHS trace individuals that may have coronavirus.

illustration of a hand holding a phone showing NHS covid-19 app