Do I have to download the NHS COVID-19 app?

Boris Johnson was challenged at Prime Minister's Questions about the expected increase in cases that will occur as restrictions are eased in England.

The so-called 'freedom day', due to take place on July 19, will be the start of stage four of the government's recovery roadmap, however, self-isolation rules won't change until four weeks later on August 16.

Many social media users have reported deleting the app to avoid notifications. 

The NHS COVID-19 app is entirely voluntary

Is the app compulsory?

The NHS COVID-19 app is entirely voluntary and you can choose whether or not to download it.

You can also uninstall and delete the app whenever you like.

The app is not pushed automatically to smartphones.

However, if you share an Apple or Google ID, it's possible that the app is installed on your smartphone because a family member has installed it on another smartphone.

What happens when the app pings?

If you've got an alert telling you that you've been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus, and you need to self-isolate, then you will have to say at home for a full 10 days following that contact.

It can take up to 10 days for symptoms to appear. People in your household will not need to isolate unless you develop symptoms.

If you develop coronavirus symptoms during this 10 day period, follow the guidance about what to do.

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If you do not develop symptoms after 10 days, you can stop self-isolating.

You will not need a coronavirus test. You should continue to stay alert and follow the latest government advice.

If you are under 18 years old, and test positive for coronavirus, you should notify a trusted adult before taking any action.

What was said at Prime Minister's Questions?

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said: “It won’t feel like freedom day to those who have to isolate.

“When they are having to cancel their holidays, when they can’t go to the pub or even to their kid’s sports day and it won’t feel like freedom day… to the businesses who are already warning of carnage because of the loss of staff and customers.”

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer

He told the Prime Minister: “There are already too many stories of people deleting the NHS app – he must have seen those stories – and they are doing it because they can see what’s coming down the track.

“Of course we don’t support that, but under his plan it is entirely predictable.”

Mr Starmer suggested that lifting the restrictions while maintaining self-isolation rules risked undermining the £37 billion NHS Test and Trace programme.

What did Boris say?

Self-isolation rules in England won't change until August 16- fully vaccinated adults will no longer have to self-isolate if they come into close contact with a Covid-positive person but instead will be urged to take a test.

However, anyone who has tested positive with coronavirus will have to self-isolate, regardless of vaccinated status.

Mr Johnson said: “Of course we are going to continue with the programme of self-isolation for as long as that is necessary. I thank all those who are doing it.

“But of course what we are also doing is moving to a system of testing rather than self-isolation and we can do that because of the massive rollout of the vaccine programme.”