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Original poster

Being denied entry because you dont have the track and trace app?

468 replies

Rudolphian · 27/09/2020 18:54

I haven't downloaded the app due to personal reasons.
I have started hearing stories about people being denied entry to pubs/ restaurants and cafes because they havent got the app.
Is this true?
Now I'm wondering what I'd do if it came into work, or if I'm told its compulsory to have to go to the supermarket?
Pretty sure its not a legal requirement yet.

OP posts:
JamieLeeCurtains · 27/09/2020 18:56

They're supposed to have a signing in book as well.

Estrellente · 27/09/2020 18:56

I haven’t downloaded it yet either, but I probably will next weekend as I’ll be meeting a friend for a meal out.

I think it’s fair enough tbh- businesses are desperate to stay open and I don’t begrudge them taking any measures they see fit to guard their own incomes.

ivykaty44 · 27/09/2020 18:58

the app isn't available to all mobile phones - so not everyone will be able not download the app unless they have an uptown date phone. Therefore people would be turned away through no fault of their own.

PerspicaciaTick · 27/09/2020 18:59

Lots of people don't have smart phones or don't want the app (which is their decision). If businesses want to turn customers away I would think them foolish but leave them to it.

HyaluronicHippo · 27/09/2020 18:59

I think private businesses are allowed to set out their terms of use, such as dress code/having a government track and trace app etc.

It would be best if it’s made clear before you arrive that they do consider it a term of entry.

twoglassesofprosecco · 27/09/2020 18:59

Since it doesn't work on many many phones, places will have to provide an alternative method of checking in.

PseudoBadger · 27/09/2020 18:59

You don't have to use the app, you can leave your details the old fashioned way

lifesalongsong · 27/09/2020 19:01

A business can refuse entry to anyone can't they as long as it's not for a discrimanatory reason can't they

Tbh it's not something I'm worried about, it doesn't seem at all likely that it would be widespread but I totally understand if a small business wants to do T and T in an efficient way.

WhentheDealGoesDown1 · 27/09/2020 19:01

I have deleted the app and will not use anywhere that asks for it exclusively.

PseudoBadger · 27/09/2020 19:01

"Venues in hospitality, the tourism and leisure industry, close contact services and local authority facilities must:

ask at least one member of every party of customers or visitors (up to 6 people) to provide their name and contact details
keep a record of all staff working on their premises and shift times on a given day and their contact details
keep these records of customers, visitors and staff for 21 days and provide data to NHS Test and Trace if requested
display an official NHS QR code poster so that customers and visitors can ‘check in’ using this option as an alternative to providing their contact details
adhere to General Data Protection Regulations
Hospitality venues must also refuse entry to those who refuse to participate.

Failure to do any of these requirements will result in fixed penalty fines."

www.gov.uk/guidance/maintaining-records-of-staff-customers-and-visitors-to-support-nhs-test-and-trace

LiveFromHome · 27/09/2020 19:01

I messaged a local restaurant who put up a social media post saying they'd refuse entry to anyone who didn't scan the QR code, asking them to cancel our booking as our phones don't support the app and we are obviously not welcome.

They totally backtracked, saying they had our details as all bookings are done online so it didn't matter that we couldn't scan the QR code.

I cancelled the booking anyway and told them it was because of their unnecessarily aggressive social media post. (They've subsequently deleted it after lots of similar comments on the post).

It's not a legal requirement for customers/clients and to scan the app. They can of course make that a condition of visiting their establishment, and we can vote with our feet.

PseudoBadger · 27/09/2020 19:03

"In England, you do not have to request details from people who check in with the official NHS QR poster, and venues should not ask them to do both. Venues must not make the specific use of the NHS QR code a precondition of entry (as the individual has the right to choose to provide their contact details if they prefer). Should someone choose to check in with the official NHS QR poster, a venue should check their phone screen to ensure they have successfully checked in"

lifesalongsong · 27/09/2020 19:04

It's not a legal requirement for customers/clients and to scan the app. They can of course make that a condition of visiting their establishment, and we can vote with our feet

You've summed it up in that paragraph, it's quite straightforward.

Batshitbeautycosmeticsltd · 27/09/2020 19:04

Vote with your feet. Not downloading that app but also won't patronise a place that requires it.

WhentheDealGoesDown1 · 27/09/2020 19:04

I’m sure before long there will be lists of places that refuse entry without the app so they can be boycotted

PseudoBadger · 27/09/2020 19:05

Venues must not make the specific use of the NHS QR code a precondition of entry (as the individual has the right to choose to provide their contact details if they prefer).

PseudoBadger · 27/09/2020 19:06

Complain to the local authority if they demand you use the QR code

TruffleShuffles · 27/09/2020 19:07

People are confusing two different things here, the tracking app and the QR codes that businesses provide to simply check in. I haven’t downloaded the app but I still use the QR code provided to show that I have been to a pub/restaurant.

CraftyGin · 27/09/2020 19:07

Don't understand why people are bolshy about using the app.

WhentheDealGoesDown1 · 27/09/2020 19:09

@CraftyGin

Don't understand why people are bolshy about using the app.
Because it isn’t inclusive
Nappyvalley15 · 27/09/2020 19:10

I know of someone turned away from the cinema for not having the app who later found that they shouldn't have been. The website of the cinema said that if anyone can't use the app an alternative would be offered. Companies are going against their own policies and government guidelines. People without smart phones need to be able to access services.

StarCat2020 · 27/09/2020 19:15

Businesses don't have to allow you to enter their premises as long as they are not discriminating under the Equality Act.

thirdfiddle · 27/09/2020 19:17

Lots of us don't have modern enough phones to use the app. I'm glad to see they can't discriminate against us for that.

Carrotgirl87 · 27/09/2020 19:19

Seen a fair few posts about people's workplaces only allowing admittance with the app. So it's coming!

SoUtterlyGroundDown · 27/09/2020 19:19

@CraftyGin

Don't understand why people are bolshy about using the app.
If I trusted the government to launch an app that a) worked how it’s supposed to and b) that held and disposed of my data appropriately then I’d download it. But I don’t. I am more than happy to leave my details using paper. But that’s fine, if an organisation makes it a condition of entry then I won’t go.