We all know it’s a difficult balancing act between controlling the coronavirus and not damaging the economy by having restrictions that do their own damage.  For controlling the virus, Crawley has done very well and the rate of our current infections is very low indeed.  We are however suffering more than most when it comes to our local economy due to the global hit aviation is taking. 

Until a vaccine is rolled out, being able to control the virus is the best way to help save lives and keep as much of our economy open as possible, with the least amount of restrictions. One way we can all play our part in helping to protect the medically vulnerable and to help protect the economy and people’s jobs, is to download the NHS Covid-19 app that went live late last week.  

Following successful trials and rigorous testing, the NHS Covid-19 app has been launched, which will alert people if they have been close to someone who later tests positive for the virus, as well as providing local risk alerts and a symptom checker.  The app will be a vital new tool, working alongside traditional contact tracing, to reduce the spread of the virus.  The app also provides risk alerts based on postcodes and allows you to scan QR codes at venues and book tests if someone has symptoms.  My own postcode of RH10 currently says medium risk.

I welcome that the UK’s major mobile network operators, including Vodafone, Three, EE and O2 have all very helpfully confirmed that all in-app activity will not come out of customers’ data allowance.  People having the app will make it easier for NHS Test and Trace to get in touch with anyone who has visited a venue where there has been a recent case of coronavirus.

Privacy concerns have been addressed and while there have been inevitable teething troubles, the app works and becomes ever more effective the more us download it.  Please do download it and protect our community here in Crawley and protect jobs by helping to make a local lockdown less likely.  

Councillor Duncan Crow, Leader of Crawley Borough Council Conservative Group

30th September 2020