Do I have to follow the NHS COVID-19 pass when I go to a venue?

Do I have to follow the NHS COVID-19 pass when I go to a venue?

As part of the Living with COVID strategy, from 1 April it will no longer be advised for domestic venues and events to use the NHS COVID pass.

Does the COVID NHS pass show a COVID-19 booster?

COVID-19 booster vaccinations. You should get your COVID-19 booster as soon as you are eligible, but you do not need a COVID-19 booster vaccination to get an NHS COVID Pass for domestic use. If you've received a booster vaccination it will show in your NHS COVID Pass for travel within 5 days.

Does the NHS COVID-19 app track my location?

It does not record or track where you or other app users are (for example, at home or in a public space). The app does not identify you or your location to other app users (or, as noted above, the government).

Do venues have to check COVID-19 status at events?

Updated to reflect the fact that it is no longer a legal requirement for venues or events to check the COVID-19 status of attendees as a condition of entry.

Does NHS COVID-19 app show previous venues you have visited?

Details of which venues you have visited again are only on your app. The app will hold details of a relevant test result but only for as long as necessary, 14 days after any self-isolation period this data is no longer recorded.

How does the NHS COVID-19 app contact tracing work?

When you download the app to your phone, a code will be generated which will identify the app’s existence on your device.

This code changes every day (a ‘daily code’), so that it cannot be associated with you or your phone.

Your app produces another randomly generated code every 15 minutes (known as ‘the broadcast code’). The broadcast code is collected by the app installed on other users’ phones when you come into close contact with them and is held there for 14 days.

How does the NHS COVID-19 App identify a close contact?

From these details, the app uses a scoring mechanism to determine the app user's level of risk of getting COVID-19 as a result of close contact with an app user who may be infectious. If the risk of infection is significant, the app will issue an alert.

What is a mass gathering?

An event counts as a “mass gatherings” if the number of people it brings together is so large that it has the potential to strain the planning and response resources of the health system in the community where it takes place.

How large does a meeting or event need to be in order to be a “mass gathering” during the COVID-19 pandemic?

High profile international sporting events such as the Olympics or World Cups as well as international religious events such as the Hajj count as mass gatherings.

What should be done in the event of a COVID-19 outbreak in a care home?

If a care home has an outbreak, this has impacts on visiting. In the event of an outbreak in a care home, the home should stop indoor visiting (except in exceptional circumstances such as end of life). All movements out of a setting should be minimised as far as possible.

How often does the National Health Service (NHS) app update data?

The app is updated by the central systems (product environment), on average, every 2 hours. The central system provides all app users with three key sets of data. Every app user receives the same information, called reference material, which the app uses to determine if you need to receive an alert or advice. These are:

• the list of Diagnosis Keys from app users who have tested positive. This functionality keeps the identity of app users anonymous to other app users
• the list of all postcode districts and their current risk level
• the list of venues that could pose a risk, as determined by Health Protection Teams and the Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC)

Does the NHS COVID-19 app gather analytical data?

Each 6-hour period, the app collects a summary count of key information. This is called the analytical data set and helps us monitor the use, performance and information about the app and its use. The data is prepared and will be sent to central systems where it used for assurance of the app, technical checks and the public health functions. It does not include the data held on your app about specific venues or your close contacts.

Does the COVID-19 app collect personal data?

• The app holds personal data, however, we do not collect personal data. For example, your app will hold details of the venues you have visited but this is not shared with us

How long after having COVID-19 can I get the spring booster vaccine?

If you are unwell, wait until you have recovered to have your vaccine. If you have had confirmed COVID-19 you should ideally wait 4 weeks before having your spring booster.

Can you still catch COVID-19 after having the booster vaccine?

Can you still catch COVID-19 after having the vaccine? The COVID-19 vaccination will reduce the chance of you suffering from COVID-19. It may take a few days for your body to build up some protection from the booster.

Who can get a spring booster for the coronavirus disease?

People aged 75 years and older, residents in care homes for older people, and those with weakened immune systems will be offered a spring booster of coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine. Appointments will be available from the National Booking Service shortly.

What is considered a mass gathering for the context of COVID-19 pandemic?

High profile international sporting events such as the Olympics or World Cups as well as international religious events such as the Hajj count as mass gatherings. However, lower profile conferences and events can also meet WHO’s definition of a mass gathering. An event counts as a “mass gatherings” if the number of people it brings together is so large that it has the potential to strain the planning and response resources of the health system in the community where it takes place. You need to consider the location and duration of the event as well as the number of participants. For example, if the event takes place over several days in a small island state where the capacity of the health system is quite limited then even an event with just a few thousand participants could place a big strain on the health system and then be considered a “mass gathering” event.

What is an R value in an epidemic?

In an epidemic, one of the most important numbers is R - the reproduction number. If this is below one, then on average each infected person will infect fewer than one other person; the number of new infections will fall over time.

The lower the number, the faster the number of new infections will fall. When R is above one, the number of new infections is accelerating; the higher the number the faster the virus spreads through the population.

What is herd immunity in terms of COVID-19?

Herd immunity', also known as 'population immunity', is the indirect protection from an infectious disease that happens when a population is immune either through vaccination or immunity developed through previous infection. WHO supports achieving 'herd immunity' through vaccination, not by allowing a disease to spread through any segment of the population, as this would result in unnecessary cases and deaths.

Can the coronavirus disease spread through the air in rooms?

In poorly ventilated rooms the amount of virus in the air can build up, increasing the risk of spreading COVID-19, especially if there are lots of infected people in the room. The virus can also remain in the air after an infected person has left.

Can COVID-19 spread through water while swimming?

Fact: Water or swimming does not transmit the COVID-19 virus

The COVID-19 virus does not transmit through water while swimming. However, the virus spreads between people when someone has close contact with an infected person.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Avoid crowds and maintain at least a 1-metre distance from others, even when you are swimming or at swimming areas. Wear a mask when you’re not in the water and you can’t stay distant. Clean your hands frequently, cover a cough or sneeze with a tissue or bent elbow, and stay home if you’re unwell.

Can you catch COVID-19 from food?

It is very unlikely that you can catch coronavirus from food. You should follow good hygiene and preparation practices when handling and eating raw fruit, leafy salads and vegetables. This includes washing fresh produce to help to remove any contamination on the surface. Peeling the outer layers or skins of certain fruits and vegetables can also help to remove surface contamination. We would remind you not to wash raw chicken or other meat as this can lead to cross-contamination in your kitchen.

It is important to wash your hands with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds before and after you prepare food.

What is manual contact tracing in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic?

Manual contact tracing involves asking an infected person to remember who they have been in contact with; the person can only identify the people they know.

Can I have close contact with people if I'm wearing a mask during COVID-19?

While wearing a mask, you should still keep physical distance from others as much as possible. Wearing a mask does not mean you can have close contact with people.

How does Evushield for COVID-19 work?

Developed by AstraZeneca, Evusheld is a combination of two long-acting antibodies that works by binding to the spike protein on the outside of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the virus that causes COVID-19. This in turn prevents the virus from attaching to and entering human cells.