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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Restaurant asked my 12yr old to check in on covid app, AIBU to say no?

42 replies

OrangeSamphire · 02/06/2021 20:27

Took my 12yr old to wagamamas for lunch today. Checked in on the covid app on entry.

Staff member wanted my 12yr old to download the NHS app or use their own restaurant chain QR code tracking too.

I said no, because I don’t want my 12yr old’s data available to the restaurant and she’s too young for the NHS app anyway.

Staff member got shirty and went off to consult a manager. Who eventually let us in but remained shirty.

Was I BU to say no? Has anyone else experienced this?

OP posts:
Finfintytint · 02/06/2021 20:30

Not needed. Traceable via you if necessary. It’s a marketing ploy.

Curiosity101 · 02/06/2021 20:39

The other day we were told only 1 person per household group needs to check-in. That seemed sensible as it's about tracing people if they're exposed at a particular venue.

daisymill · 02/06/2021 20:39

It's only a requirement for guests over the age of 16 to enter information on the track and trace system. They were being unreasonable.

YetAnotherWalk · 02/06/2021 20:40

Over 16 only. The manager at Cafe Rouge asked DD for her details, but apologised when I said she's under 16 - to be fair, she's tall, so people assume she's older.

DistrictCommissioner · 02/06/2021 20:41

@Curiosity101

The other day we were told only 1 person per household group needs to check-in. That seemed sensible as it's about tracing people if they're exposed at a particular venue.
Hmm - I’m told at work I have to have every member of the household over the age of 16 check in, either via the app or leaving name & contact number.

Either way, YANBU, OP.

SnackSizeRaisin · 02/06/2021 20:44

It's usually one person per family, and also you don't have to have the app, you can just write your number (or any number - how would they know?) on a bit of paper. Just tell them she doesn't have a phone next time.
Pretty sure asking for a 12 year old's details for track and trace when their parent is with them and has already given theirs is illegal under gdpr as it's completely unnecessary data collection.
I don't think they have used the information gathered from hospitality venues at all, it all seems like a waste of time to.me

Original poster
OrangeSamphire · 02/06/2021 20:47

Phew, glad I was NBU.

She had her phone in her hand and does look older than 12 but even when I said to the staff member ‘she’s 12’ they were still pretty unpleasant about the whole thing.

OP posts:
Leftphalange · 02/06/2021 20:51

I'm surprised, usually one person per table when we have been out and about.

cariadlet · 02/06/2021 20:52

I don't think there was any need for her to check-in as if there later proved to be a need for tracing, your dd would have been traced via your details.

Having said that, if my dd had still been that age, I wouldn't have been bothered about her being asked to sign in.

IamaBluebird · 02/06/2021 20:54

I was asked to sign in with my phone on the app in a coffee shop. Then asked for some form of identification as well. This is in Wales not England.

NoIDontWatchLoveIsland · 02/06/2021 20:55

Everywhere I've been is only bothered about one person per table/household

sueelleker · 02/06/2021 20:55

I don't even have a smartphone-I've just been asked to write my contact details on a piece of paper.

looptheloopinahulahoop · 02/06/2021 20:57

Most places I've been is every adult has to register, not just one person per party.

Tiktokersmiracle · 02/06/2021 20:58

That's pretty weird, if they wanted kids to sign in surely they'd have to at school too?
Whenever I've gone out since the rules were relaxed, DP and I are asked are we a couple or family if we are with the DC and they say, well can 1 of you scan the barcode.
It makes no sense for everyone from a household to do it and certainly not for a 12 year old
I think I would email a polite message to the company and just say, they need to be updated on rules with regards track and trace, data protection, children and their attitude towards customers.
Personally, I hate bad customer service so much that if I experienced any type of shirty behaviour, I would've have left and taken my business elsewhere

AllThatFancyPaintsAsFair · 02/06/2021 20:58

@Leftphalange

I'm surprised, usually one person per table when we have been out and about.
Didn't it change after the last lockdown to all adult members of the party not one per table?
SquigglePigs · 02/06/2021 21:05

The guidance now is every adult in the party (in England) even if some places clearly aren't enforcing it. Still no reason to get stroppy with you over a 12 yr old not checking in.

Killeditwithkisses · 02/06/2021 21:10

Getting shirty...it must be standard practice at wagamamas. I've vowed never to set foot in the place ever again after staff claimed there was a 'no change policy' on gift vouchers. I had a £20 meal, paid with a £50 voucher.
Eventually after a long argument they agreed to give me the balance back in vouchers.

Confiscatedfidgetspinner · 02/06/2021 21:18

I wouldn’t have stayed- you are paying good money but receiving ‘shirty’ service back over something they were in the wrong about? Absolutely no way. They aren’t doing you a favour by taking your money. Covid is a good excuse for poor service in many places right now.

Katkinsgreyy · 02/06/2021 21:45

Yanbu.
What annoys me is every place is different. Some places only one person per household has to do it.
Then other times every one has to do it!

I know an elderly couple in their 80s who were refused entry to a restaurant as they didn't have a smart phone to download the app on!! Usually you can write your name and mobile on a piece of paper, but this restaurant weren't having it.

Em8725 · 02/06/2021 22:02

This is awful! I would have left. The guidance has changed to every adult in the party, and if they don’t check in using the nhs app (I can’t ask for proof!) I have to offer the book to write it in. This way we can stay open and everyone is happy.

So far we have had one adult customer refuse to give details, his wife was extremely apologetic and provided them on his behalf when he went to the toilet. I’m not sure how I feel about that either.

The thing is, we are all trying to understand the new guidance at the same time as the general public so I’m not surprised a few venues have got this wrong. It is really confusing. All members of the party are traceable via the lead Booker so I don’t know why we have to collect everyone’s information - I’m surprised we are allowed to, given data protection.

Wandamakesporridge · 02/06/2021 22:14

YANBU, I didn’t think children had to do it?

We went to Wagamama’s a couple of weeks ago, myself and DH did the check in, but they didn’t ask DD (15) or DS (12) to do it.

All that happened is that as we walked in the waiter said ‘have you done the NHS check in?’ we said ‘yes’ and that was it.

It must have just been a rather over zealous manager at the one you went to.

Redwinestillfine · 02/06/2021 22:15

The app isn't compulsory. We don't have it. Happy to leave a phone number, he could leave yours but no one has to download the app.

JennyWreny · 02/06/2021 22:24

It says over 16s only on their website. I would be tempted to contact them via social media to let them know your experience.

Restaurant asked my 12yr old to check in on covid app, AIBU to say no?
legotruck · 02/06/2021 22:30

It's 12 in Scotland

Bitofachinwag · 02/06/2021 22:34

Having a smartphone isn't compulsory! And even if you have one you don't have to use it to scan any QR codes.

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