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The new NHS Test and Trace service launched across England on May 28 forms a central part of the Government’s coronavirus recovery strategy to help us all get our lives back to something like normal. The service will help identify, contain and control coronavirus, reduce the spread of the virus and save lives. Today we explain how the system will work and answer some of the key questions which have been raised by members of the public. The NHS Test and Trace service will have the capacity to trace the contacts of 10,000 people who test positive for coronavirus per day and can be scaled up if needed. The rollout of the service, which includes 25,000 contact tracing staff working with Public Health England, has been made possible by the rapid expansion of testing. People who are contacted by the NHS Test and Trace service will be given clear information explaining what they must do and how they can access local support if needed, and the Department for Work and Pensions has announced that those having to self-isolate will be eligible for statutory sick pay if they are unable to work from home. New guidance means those who have been in close contact with someone who tests positive must isolate for 14 days, even if they have no symptoms, to avoid unknowingly spreading the virus. Anyone who tests positive for coronavirus will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace and will need to share information about their recent interactions. This could include household members, people with who they have been in direct contact, or within two metres for more than 15 minutes. People identified as having been in close contact with someone who has a positive test must stay at home for 14 days, even if they do not have symptoms, to stop unknowingly spreading the virus. Dido Harding, who is executive chair of NHS Test and Trace, said: “NHS Test and Trace already employs over 40,000 people who are working hard to deliver both testing and contact tracing at scale. This is no small achievement and I am hugely grateful to everyone involved. “NHS Test and Trace will not succeed on its own – we all need to play our part. “Together we can help contain the virus, stop it spreading further and ultimately save lives.” Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said: “NHS Test and Trace will be vital to stopping the spread of the virus. It is how we will be able to protect our friends and family from infection, and protect our NHS. “This new system will help us keep this virus under control while carefully and safely lifting the lockdown nationally.”