People urged to download new app to protect Scotland from Covid-19

A Highlands and Islands MSP has urged people to download the new Protect Scotland app.

Maree Todd, for the SNP, said it was designed to help slow the spread of coronavirus in Scotland and support the easing of lockdown restrictions.

It works by notifying users if they have come into close contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19.

It automatically alerts users if someone reports they’ve tested positive for Covid-19 and detects via the phone whether the two devices have recently been in close contact.

No personal identifiable information is entered on the app and the Scottish Government said it does not monitor the location of individuals.

The app uses Bluetooth technology, not GPS, to identify contacts. It can only be used on smartphones with either the Apple (iOS) or Google (Android) operating systems.

Within a few hours of its launch, it had already been downloaded more than 50,000 times.

Launched

Ms Todd said: ‘The Scottish Government has launched the Protect Scotland proximity tracing app to help stop the spread of the Covid-19 virus and complement the person-to-person approach of Test and Protect.

‘The app – which takes less than a minute to download – will allow us to alert people at risk far more quickly so we can all take steps to reduce the risk of infecting others.

‘Scotland’s official contact tracing app will help us all to protect ourselves, our family, our friends and our community by enabling faster contact tracing.

‘The more people who have the app, the more it can help to slow the spread of coronavirus.

‘That’s why I’m urging people across the Highlands and Islands to download the app.’

The Protect Scotland app can be downloaded at www. protect.scot

How it works?

The app communicates with other app users’ phones using Bluetooth to swap anonymous random IDs when in close proximity – two metres or less – for 15 minutes or more.

This acts like a virtual handshake between devices, which can be anonymously recalled if one of the contacts later tests positive for Covid.

It is important, therefore, app users keep Bluetooth enabled on their phones as often as possible.

For more information on how it works visit https://www. protect.scot/how-it-works