NHS Scotland Covid Status app now available to download

Scotland’s Covid status app has gone live ahead of the vaccine certification scheme coming into effect at 5am on Friday.

The app can be downloaded from the App store for iPhones and on the Google Play store for android.

It was made available for download at around 5.30pm on Thursday.

Although there were expectations that the app would have appeared earlier on Thursday, with opposition MSPs at Holyrood raising a point of order to ask why it was not yet available.

Users are now able to download the app, which will enable them to show confirmation of their Covid status.

It will provide QR codes that officials at venues such as nightclubs and football stadiums can scan to confirm whether someone is double vaccinated.

The app uses facial recognition technology to verify the identity of users, using either a person’s passport or driving licence.

Data on the app is encrypted, held by NHS Scotland and is only shared with the trusted parties needed to deliver the service.

A grace period for businesses was announced by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon earlier this week to allow them to implement the Covid certification scheme.

It means that although the scheme will come into effect from 5am on Friday, businesses will not face enforcement action for non-compliance until October 18.