Police told not to download NHS Covid-19 app

The Nationwide Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) has confirmed officers are being informed to not set up the NHS Covid-19 app on their work smartphones.

The app detects when customers have been in proximity to somebody with the virus.

Some officers have additionally been informed they might not have to obey self-isolate alerts generated by the app when downloaded to their private telephones.

Lancashire Constabulary has informed employees to name the pressure’s personal Covid-19 helpline as an alternative.

The BBC contacted the North-West of England pressure after a supply revealed the recommendation.

The supply additionally mentioned officers had been informed to not carry their private telephones whereas on responsibility if that they had activated the app.

Lancashire Constabulary mentioned this was a coverage frequent to all forces and referred additional inquiries to the NPCC.

The NPCC mentioned it was finishing up an pressing assessment of the coverage. This might occur as quickly as Tuesday.

NHS Covid-19 launched final Thursday, since when it has been downloaded greater than 12 million occasions.

Along with contact-tracing, it additionally provides a manner for customers to scan codes once they enter a constructing to log they had been there, in addition to a way to verify if they’ve signs of the coronavirus and to order a check.

However for the reason that app is designed to maintain individuals’s identities secret, this shouldn’t be an issue on this case.