Bedford hospitality businesses will have to display QR code as part of coronavirus measures

Hospitality businesses in Bedford will have to display an official NHS QR code poster from today (Thursday) to help people check in to venues.

The government has released new legislation as part of its efforts to drive down the rate of coronavirus infection and support the test and trace system.

On Friday, September 18, it became law for hospitality venues to enforce the rule of six or face a fine of up to £4,000 and to log contact details for customer, visitors and staff as part of NHS Test and Trace.

Today, the Covid-19 contact-tracing app has launched across England and Wales, and it will now be a legal requirement for hospitality venues to display an official NHS QR code poster to help people check in to venues.

The app includes a QR scanner so that people can quickly check in to venues from their phone.

When someone enters a venue and scans an official NHS QR code poster, the venue information will be logged on the user’s phone.

This will allow NHS Test and Trace to contact customers with public health advice should there be a COVID-19 outbreak.

An alternative check-in method must also be maintained to collect the contact details of those who do not have the app, for example a handwritten register.

To support the launch of the app businesses and venues such as pubs, restaurants, hairdressers, cinemas, community centres and village halls should download a QR code for their venues to be displayed at the entrance to the building for people to scan themselves in.

To register your venue and download a QR code visit: www.gov.uk/create-coronavirus-qr-poster.

Cllr Louise Jackson, portfolio holder for public health and wellbeing said: “It’s vital that we all do everything we can to support the test and trace system so we can take urgent action if we come into contact with someone who tests positive.

"With the launch of the government’s app, businesses and venues such as pubs, bars and restaurants, hairdressers, hotels and cinemas must download and display a QR code for their venue to help everyone check in quickly and easily.”

For more information and a full list of applicable venues click here.