Scottish coronavirus tracing app goes live
Last updated 10th Sep 2020
More than one hundred thousand people have downloaded Scotland's Coronavirus tracing app before it's official launch.
The Protect Scotland software is part of the Test and Protect system which is one of the key measures the Scottish Government is relying on to control the spread of Covid-19.
The app will alert users if they've been in close contact for more than 15 minutes with someone who later tests positive.
Although the official launch is not due until tomorrow, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has tweeted about it.
The app can be downloaded for free onto a smart phone from Apple's App Store or Google Play, although owners with older operating systems are not able to get it on their devices.
It uses Bluetooth technology to alert users if they have been within 2 metres of another person with the app on their device should they later test positive.
Phone-based contact tracers will give users who test positive a code to enter into the app which will trigger a message which will be sent to those they were close to while they were infectious.
Those people will be urged to get tested or self-isolate for 14 days.
The Scottish Government chose to develop the system using software proven in other countries after a contract tracing being developed by the NHS in England ran into technical problems.
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