North residents urged to download Protect Scotland app
Sutherland residents are being urged to download a new Protect Scotland app to help slow the spread of coronavirus.
MSP Maree Todd made her remarks as the Scottish Government launched the new app which aims to support the continued easing of lockdown restrictions.
The app can be downloaded onto phones and will let users know if they have come into close contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19.
The app will automatically alert users if someone reports that they’ve tested positive for Covid-19 and that they have been in close contact recently.
No personal identifiable information will be entered on the app – and the Scottish Government has assured that it will not monitor the location of individuals as the app uses Bluetooth technology, and not GPS, to identify contacts.
Since launching last night, the app has already been downloaded more than 50,000 times.
Highlands and Islands MSP Ms Todd said: "The Scottish Government has now launched the Protect Scotland proximity tracing app, to help stop the spread of the Covid-19 virus and complement the person-to-person approach of Test and Protect.
“The app – which takes less than a minute to download – will allow us to alert people at risk 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.
“The more people who have the app, the more it can help to slow the spread of Coronavirus.
“That’s why I’m urging people across the Highlands and Islands to download the app, and let’s all protect Scotland.”
