Do I have to self-isolate if I'm pinged by the NHS contact tracing app?
NHS Covid app changes: How YOUR NHS app could change from July 19  The system has come under fire after there was a significant rise in the number of alerts due to the surge in coronavirus infections. In the last week of June, 360,000 pings were sent to people in England and Wales. This was a rise of more than 60 percent and the highest weekly figure of 2021. Several industry experts in hospitality and NHS Trusts have warned millions could be forced to self-isolate over the summer if the sensitivity of the app is maintained. This could have a huge impact on the economy, businesses and workplaces. As a result, many people are opting to delete the app - rather than risk having to self-isolate for 10 days. Last week one person tweeted: The NHS Covid App has been telling people to isolate for 10 days even if they havent left the house just because someone positive walked past their gate. That is ridiculous!  Another wrote: I have been pinged by the NHS app and I can't go out for the match even though I've been tested and I'm negative. This is ridiculous, you are going to stop me from celebrating history with my friends and family because I walked into a shop within an hour of someone with Covid four days ago. One person commented: Restaurant called to cancel our dinner reservation - so many staff had been pinged by the NHS app that they couldnt open for service. And this is before the Government ditches all Covid restrictions.