The First Minister is encouraging punters to download a new app to ensure the safe reopening of hospitality across Scotland. 

Launched by NHS Scotland, the Check-in Scotland app will help people register their contact details to support Track and Protect teams. 

Nicola Sturgeon said: "I would urge everyone who is thinking of going out to cafes, pubs and restaurants from Monday, or who runs a hospitality venue to download NHS Scotland’s new app - Check-in Scotland, which is a quick, easy and secure way for customers to leave their contact details so Test and Protect can notify customers if they may have been in contact with someone who has tested positive and help us keep the spread of the virus suppressed.”

Scotland is set to enter Level 3 restrictions at the start of next week which will see the reopening of non-essential retail, hospitality and close contact services for the first time in months. 

The country is set to pass a major milestone in vaccination today. More than one million people will have received their second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine by the end of the day. 

That means nearly a quarter of Scotland's adult population has been fully vaccinated. 

Ms Sturgeon added: “I want to say a huge thank you to everyone working on our vaccine programme and everyone who has rolled up their sleeve.

“With well over 2.7 million people having received their first dose, it is excellent news that a million people, nearly a quarter of the adult population, and many of those most vulnerable to the virus, will have had their second dose."

How does the new app work? 

The app will help collect the contact details of visitors to venues.

If someone tests positive at that venue, NHS Scotland will use the contact details to advise visitors on whether they should self isolate. 

Your personal data will be held by the app for three weeks before being "disposed of in a safe and secure manner". 

This data will not be accessed unless required in response to an outbreak of COVID-19.

The app can be downloaded in your phone's App Store or Google Play Store. 

Is this the same at Protect Scotland app? 

No, these are two separate apps.

While the Protect Scotland app uses a phone's Bluetooth to measure if you were in close proximity with someone for an extended period of time, the Check-In Scotland app is meant to be used specifically upon visiting venues.