Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has confirmed that the government is redeveloping an NHS app to function as a COVID passport for international travel.
Speaking to Sky News on Wednesday morning (April 28), the minister revealed that the app would be able to “show if you’ve had a vaccine or had testing”.
Shapps also added that he was working with “partners across the world” to get the system “internationally recognised”.
The NHS app being turned into a COVID passport is the same one used to book NHS appointments; not the ‘NHS COVID app’ for checking into venues and logging details for track and trace.
.@GrantShapps has confirmed that the govt is redeploying the main NHS app to show if you've had a vaccine or test.
It was confirmed earlier this month that all UK passengers would be required to take COVID tests before travelling under the government’s new traffic light system – which categorises countries based on several risk factors (including vaccine/case rates).
ADVERTISEMENT
The traffic light system for the reintroduction of international travel will see countries marked as ‘Green’, ‘Amber’, or ‘Red’.
Passengers travelling to ‘Green’ nations must take tests before departure and return, whilst those from ‘Amber’ countries will need to quarantine for 10 days upon arrival back in Britain.
ADVERTISEMENT
UK arrivals from ‘Red’ nations will need to stay for 10 days in a managed quarantine hotel.
International travel may resume from May 17 at the earliest.
International travel is set to be reintroduced from May 17 / Image: Atoms via Unsplash
According to Shapps, the countries being added to the ‘Green’ list are set to be revealed in the “next two weeks”.
ADVERTISEMENT
Shapps told Sky: “We do need to make sure we do this very, very carefully.
“But, in the next couple of weeks, I’ll be able to tell you about which countries will have made it into the traffic light system and that ‘green’ list in particular are the countries where you’ll be able to go to without needing to quarantine on your return.”
Featured image: Shawn Agg / Unsplash
News
Simon Rimmer shuts final Greater Manchester branch of beloved Greens restaurant
Daisy Jackson
Simon Rimmer’s much-loved Greens restaurant is no more, as the final branch announces its immediate closure.
The vegetarian restaurant launched in Didsbury way back in 1990, but confirmed its shock closure at the start of its year.
The newer Greens restaurant in Sale had remained open for business – until today.
In a statement share online, the restaurant said the business has become ‘untenable’.
The statement, which was shared with a simple broken heart emoji, added that the team have ‘done everything possible’ to stay afloat.
Greens hasn’t shared as much detail about its Sale closure.
Simon Rimmer’s Greens restaurant in Sale has announced its immediate closure. Credit: The Manc Group
They wrote: “It is with deep regret that the board of directors and shareholders have decided to close the doors permanently on Greens Sale with immediate effect.
“We’ve done everything possible to make this work, but it is now clear the business is untenable.
“We’d like to thank everyone, team members & guests, who have been on the Greens journey with us.”
It’s another blow to the Manchester’s famous vegan and vegetarian restaurant scene, which has lost the likes of Wholesome Junkies, Vurger Co, and V Rev all shutting down in the last couple of years.
Wholesome Junkies shut down because of ‘skyrocketing costs’, writing at the time of their closure in July: “The figures just don’t add up, it’s no joke and it’s devastating the hospitality industry.”
Northern blocks access to dating apps and websites on-board trains
Emily Sergeant
Access to dating apps and websites is now blocked on-board trains travelling across the north, it has been revealed.
Northern says there’s “good reason” for taking this decision.
This is because the WiFi provided by the train operator on-board its services travelling across the north of England is delivered under the ‘Friendly WiFi’ scheme, which blocks access to certain categories of content – including those associated with dating.
Websites and apps related to video streaming, gambling, alcohol, adult content, pornography, and nudity are also blocked.
Northern has blocked access to dating apps and websites on-board its trains / Credit: Northern
The company says ‘Friendly WiFi’ – which it has been signed up to since 2017 – ensures its on-board internet service meets “minimum filtering standards” given the fact that children could be present around passengers at all times.
The decision to ban dating apps and websites comes after Northern also urged passengers to stop viewing content that’s “not suitable for work” on its trains and stations in Greater Manchester and beyond, and pleaded for them to “wait until you get home” instead.
Content that Northern considers ‘NSFW’ can range from inappropriate jokes and bad language, right through to offensive topics and explicit material.
The train operator has explained the “good reason” for its decision / Credit: Northern
Northern’s Chief Operating Officer, Matt Rice, said access to “safe and reliable” internet is part of passengers’ expectations.
“Whilst some dating websites and users will operate with appropriate levels of self-moderation, some might not and it’s important that content not suitable for everyone to see or hear, particularly children, isn’t viewed on our trains,” Mr Rice explained.
“It’s simply about ensuring that there is sufficient bandwidth for all our customers to use while they’re on the go.
The Manc -
28th April 2021 
