Track and trace data ‘not being recorded’

Only a third of people visiting places like restaurants or hairdressers say they are being routinely asked to provide personal details for track and trace purposes, new data has shown.

A report from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said that just 31% of adults in England said that they were ‘always’ asked for their information.

But 27% said they were never asked.

The survey of 1,130 people, conducted between September 9 and 13, asked how often customers had been asked for their details when visiting places outside their homes in the past seven days.

Figures varied across different countries – with 45% in Wales reporting being always asked for details and 66% in Scotland.

In Wales, 23% said they had never been asked and in Scotland the figure was 12%.

The ONS added that of those who were asked to provide their details, 69% said they did so every time, but 11% said they rarely or never did provide their personal contact details.

The data comes as extra measures are being put in place in the North East following a rise in the number of infections.

The regulations–for Sunderland, South Tyne side, Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland and Durham came info effect at midnight on Thursday.

The ONS data also showed that the percentage of adults who had left their home to eat or drink at a restaurant, cafe, bar or pub had decreased for the first time in the past week since early July.

Three in 10 (30%) adults said they had eaten out, compared with nearly four in 10 (38%) two weeks ago.