The free, anonymous app helps stop the spread of COVID-19 and saves lives
SNP MP Drew Hendry has urged people across the Highlands to download, install and activate the new ‘Protect Scotland’ app – to help slow the spread of Coronavirus and support the easing of lockdown restrictions. The free app can be downloaded onto smartphones and will then let users upload their test results. It will alert them, and others, if they have come into close contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19 by sending them a notification.
The app, which launched last week, has already been downloaded over a million times. This figure already represents 36% of adults in Scotland with access to a compatible smartphone and this level of uptake is already making a significant difference in tackling the virus.
It is important to note that the app does not require that personal identifiable information be given, and the Scottish Government has assured that it will not monitor the location of individuals as the app only uses Bluetooth technology, and not GPS, to identify contacts.
Commenting, Mr Hendry said:
“Off the back of the widespread publicity around the launch of the ‘Protect Scotland’ app, backed by the media, politicians on all sides and many well-known public figures, we are seeing a truly amazing uptake of the app. Roughly 36% of smartphone users across Scotland who can download the app have now downloaded and activated it.
“With the app now having been downloaded over a million times, almost 2 times every second, it is highly important that we keep up the momentum and that more and more people download it for the maximum positive benefit.
“The app – which takes less than 60 seconds to download, install and activate – will allow people at risk to be alerted far more quickly, so that we can all take steps to reduce the risk of infecting others.
“Scotland’s official contact tracing app will help us all to protect ourselves, our family, our friends and our community by enabling faster contact tracing. It is highly important that we all play a role in defeating this virus, to allow us to return to the new normal quicker and in a safe manner.
“The more people who have the app, the more it can help to slow the spread of Coronavirus. That’s why I’m urging folk across the Highlands to download the app. I’d also urge family members to help out older relatives with installing the app so as to make sure we can protect as many people as possible. Let’s all download the app and protect Scotland, together.”
More information about the Protect Scotland app can be found at https://protect.scot/
- The app is free and does not identify individuals or track their location
- For iPhones, the app is available on the Apple App Store and for Android devices the app is available the Google Play Store
- In 2020, around 80% of adults over 18 reported having a smartphone (~3.5 million Scots). Of those individuals, around 50% own an iPhone device and 50% own an Android device. Of those devices, 70% of iPhones and 85% of Android devices are compatible with the “Protect Scotland” app.
Additional update available via www.drewhendrymp.scot