[RossM]

> Nobody is forced to install the app at all (at least in the UK's case).

Unfortunately, that's not quite right. Citing the latest rules:

> The rules on what you need to do when a group enters your venue have changed. You must ask every customer or visitor to scan the NHS QR code using their NHS COVID-19 app, or provide their name and contact details, not just a lead member of the group. [0]

[0] https://www.gov.uk/guidance/maintaining-records-of-staff-cus...

Delving into the rules, it appears this applies to all sit-in venues, while takeaway customers are exempt. A paper-based system should be available, if you trust the business to handle your data responsibly (or forge fake data if not).

This morning at a cafe I was asked to scan the QR code "or we can't serve you" for a takeaway order. Clearly some misunderstanding, and I didn't press about a paper-based list as I hadn't read the details myself. Hopefully it's an isolated incident, but it wouldn't surprise me if there was some simplified comms (/FUD) about "just get customers to scan the code".

[cassianoleal]

> or provide their name and contact details

There are 2 alternatives to installing the app:

- providing your details; or - not entering the venue.

Seems correct that nobody is forced to install the app.

[makomk]

Unfortunately, Google and Apple have effectively made it impossible to use the paper-based details in order to contact people and tell them to self-isolate if someone who used the app to check in tests positive by blocking this.