Starting next month, Northern Ireland will extend the StopCOVID NI app to children and young people. With schools, colleges and universities resuming, the initiative could be effective in controlling the spread of COVID-19 among younger populations.
StopCOVID NI was launched on 31 July 2020 and has achieved more than 300,000 downloads till date. As of now, it is limited only to individuals over 18 years of age.
Health Minister Robin Swann stated that the Department of Health is working closely with the Children’s Commissioner and the Information Commissioner’s Office to determine a way for younger people to get the consent to use the app without affecting anonymity.
Minister Swann added: "Passing the 300,000 mark is a great achievement in a short space of time but we have to maintain the momentum. The more people get on board, the more effective the app will be in breaking chains of transmission of the virus."
