Hospitality, tourism and leisure in high risk settings are among the sectors encouraged to continue to use NHS QR codes and showing a valid NHS COVID pass as a condition of entry.
Although it is no longer a legal requirement for venues to display an NHS QR code or request that customers check in, it is still encouraged, to support NHS Test and Trace to contact those exposed to COVID-19.
The government is particularly keen to encourage the hospitality, tourism, leisure and close contact service sectors as well as places of worship and local authority amenities to continue to display and use NHS QR codes. Any “Venue Alerts” triggered – if there are two or more cases at a venue – are anonymous and let individuals who checked in to the venue on the same day know that they should book a test. There is no requirement to self-isolate unless the individual tests positive. NHS Test and Trace contact the venue directly to give advice on continuing to operate safely.
It is worth noting that the government is also encouraging businesses and large events to use the NHS COVID Pass in high risk settings, where people are likely to be in close proximity to others outside their household. They will consider mandating its use if sufficient measures are not taken to limit infection.
The NHS COVID pass shows an individual’s COVID-19 vaccination details or test results and can be requested to travel abroad or at events and venues in England as proof of your COVID-19 status.
To help businesses to check COVID passes are valid, the NHS COVID Pass Verifier App launched at the weekend which allows staff to verify the legitimacy of what is presented to them. Guidance has been issued to venues under the Events Research Programme.