EVERY pub-goer must check-in with NHS Covid app from April 12 under new rules to go for a pint

EVERY pub-goer must check-in with the NHS Covid app to get a pint from April 12.

Under the new rules, EVERY punter must be able to be contact-traced via the app or by giving their contact details when a group enters a pub or restaurant.

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This is the Government's latest bid to stop Covid infections in order to stay on track with the easing of lockdown.

Previously when hospitality reopened in 2020, only the lead member of the group needed to provide contact details to check-in.

But now each punter must scan their app - in line with the new offer of free rapid testing for everyone in England.

The Government rules state: "To coincide with the offer of free rapid testing for everyone, there will be updates to the NHS COVID-19 app in England from 8 April.

"In line with new regulations, when a group enters a hospitality venue, every individual must check either by scanning the official NHS QR code poster with the NHS COVID-19 app, or by providing their contact details.

"Previously, only the lead member of the group needed to provide contact details to check-in."

This also means that pub-goers will be told to book a test immediately if they sit near Covid drinker in a pub when restrictions ease next Monday.

People who have been at the same venue as Covid-positive punters will receive an alert telling them to get tested - regardless of whether they have symptoms or not.

Meanwhile, from April 9, twice-weekly free rapid Covid test will be available to everyone in England - in a huge boost to our freedom.

People will be able to collect or order batches of their free Covid tests - which provide results in just minutes - whether they have symptoms or not.

So far the rapid kits have been mainly aimed at office staff and those who have to leave their homes to work, alongside the NHS and schools.

But everyone will soon be able to order kits at home, get them through their workplaces, at schools, or via the network of testing centres which has been set up across the country.

A pharmacy collect service will also be launched. The kits will be available from Friday with a fresh marketing campaign urging people to take part.

Mr Johnson will vow at tonight’s press conference that the plan will help the country unlock and give people the confidence to get out and about again.

He promised the kits would “stop outbreaks in their tracks, so we can get back to seeing the people we love and doing the things we enjoy”.

The PM said: "Massive efforts have been made by the British public to stop the spread of the virus.

"As we continue to make good progress on our vaccine programme and with our roadmap to cautiously easing restrictions underway, regular rapid testing is even more important to make sure those efforts are not wasted.

"That’s why we’re now rolling out free rapid tests to everyone across England – helping us to stop outbreaks in their tracks, so we can get back to seeing the people we love and doing the things we enjoy."

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said today: “Around one in three people who have COVID-19 show no symptoms, and as we reopen society and resume parts of life we have all dearly missed, regular rapid testing is going to be fundamental in helping us quickly spot positive cases and squash any outbreaks.

"The vaccine programme has been a shot in the arm for the whole country, but reclaiming our lost freedoms and getting back to normal hinges on us all getting tested regularly.

"The British public have shown over the last year that they quickly adapt and always do what it is right in the interest of public health, and I know they will do their bit by getting tested regularly in the months ahead."