Which chains are refusing entry if you don't have the Test and Trace App?

[soccerbabe]

I have a fairly old smartphone which isn't compatible with the app. I am perfectly happy to leave my contact details via pen and paper. Just curious as to which coffee chains/restaurants etc won't accept this?

I know someone turned away from a branch of a very large cinema chain for not having the app.

I saw two men get turned away from Five Guys because they wouldn’t download the ap.

@Mindymomo

I haven’t heard of anyone refusing entry. They say 10 million have downloaded it, so only 1 in 6. I deleted it as my phone needed charging every day.

Hasn’t affected battery life noticeably for me.

@vera99 Its not just "Old folk" - it also affects those of us who at this precise moment in time (when income is a tad uncertain) don't want to splash out on a new phone. Oh well, their loss...

@tammy909 - under what law do you think this would be illegal? Restaurants can serve whoever they want, or not serve whoever they want. They can't discriminate based on protected characteristics, but having an app isn't a protected characteristic.

I only got a smartphone in anticipation of the app way back. It's a Motorola and cost £150 and is pretty good. There is an even cheaper one for 80 quid. One way to speed up take up would be for the govt to partner with a voucher for say 50 quid if you buy a compatible model for less than a 100 quid which could come pre-loaded with app.

www.argos.co.uk/product/3157864

Hopefully the ones that don’t want paying customers and offer an alternative will also not be using the furlough scheme or the new scheme in November.

[quote MRex]@tammy909 - under what law do you think this would be illegal? Restaurants can serve whoever they want, or not serve whoever they want. They can't discriminate based on protected characteristics, but having an app isn't a protected characteristic.[/quote]
It is a legal requirement to maintain another form of check in that isn’t the QR code. Such as pen and paper. You cannot turn people away for not having the app.

@tammy909 - guidance for restaurants says that, not the law. Unless you think another law has been updated that covers this, if so please state which one.

I sure there will be a list of places soon so we can boycott them.

Whilst restaurants shouldn't turn people away without the app, should have an alternative option of pen and paper - ultimately it is to each restaurant who they wish to admit and who they wish to turn away, that was always the case even pre-Covid. They're not a public service, they don't have to let you in. So if they want to have their own business rule that no app, no entry, that is entirely up to them. Vote with your feet.

Arguably could it be a form of indirect discrimination. If a group with a protected characteristic (age perhaps) find it more difficult to access the service?

I think it will increase as people can give false information manually because many people can't, well would find it hard, to isolate on the off chance of being near a positive case. But track and trace just won't be effective enough without honest full information. Yet can businesses afford to turn people away?

As with everything it's so complicated.

I haven't downloaded yet but will this week. But assume that the kids might end up being off school because I queue in a shop next to a potential case. But what to do happy to contribute to the solution if we can.

Guidance says "You must ensure that there are options for people to leave their contact details if they do not own a smartphone." The use of "must" rather than "should" or "are advised to" means it's law. Remember that at the moment laws are being made without Parliamentary scrutiny.

A few days ago someone helpfully provided a link to the actual government guidance on this

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

I found it interesting that it states

‘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.’

But also

‘Many organisations that routinely take bookings already have systems for recording their customers and visitors – including restaurants, hotels, and hair salons. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, more organisations have, or are planning to implement, an ‘advanced booking only’ service to manage the numbers of people on the premises. These booking systems can serve as the source of the information that you need to collect. Customers or visitors can still scan the official NHS QR code if they wish, to help remind them where they have been if asked by NHS Test and Trace.
You should collect this information in a way that is manageable for your establishment. If not collected in advance, this information should be collected at the point that visitors enter the premises. It should be recorded electronically if possible, for example through an online booking system, but a paper record is acceptable. If you are keeping a paper record, this should be out of public sight and stored securely. You must ensure that there are options for people to leave their contact details if they do not own a smartphone.’

Sorry MereDintofPandiculation, X post!

Nando's you definitely needed an app... went to Five Guys instead who asked us to scan code initially but did have a sheet to sign instead

We were turned away from turtle bay in an area where you can only eat out with your household. It's not really a family chain, so I don't understand them turning away custom when we were more than happy to give pen and paper details.
Someone running their Twitter account has confirmed that we should have been able to give details but I'm still waiting for confirmation that they've passed the message around to their restaurants.

@WhentheDealGoesDown1 hopefully so. Not everyone wants or needs a smartphone. So what it amounts to is businesses saying they don't need our custom. It's good to know who they are so we can go elsewhere.

I think places that turn folk away are going to lose a heap of older customers

I have an iPhone 6 and couldn’t download the app.

I will only support places which treat older customers sensibly. I’m already avoiding costa as it feels like an appointment for a hospital

We needed to scan a QR code to wait in the Nando's virtual queue yesterday. They didn't ask if we had the app though.

@MereDintofPandiculation
Guidancesays "You must ensure that there are options for people to leave their contact details if they do not own a smartphone." The use of "must" rather than "should" or "are advised to" means it's law. Remember that at the moment laws are being made without Parliamentary scrutiny.

"Must" usually means there is a law, in this case I don't see one. Specifically back in June there was discussion because this was an issue in Australia. So, again, please name the actual law being referenced. Laws have to be published, regardless of scrutiny.

KFC are meeting people at the door with the QR codes but there’s a choice of the Serco one or their own. Also says they can manually take details.

@tammy909

It’s illegal to turn customers away who don’t have the app.

I'm not sure I can get the app on my phone, can you link to the law please

Considering the numbers who admit to giving false details I think they may be right to insist on the ap. I've seen someone give false details, so it's not just an urban myth that people are doing this.