Government to work with Deliveroo to help combat new variants
Credit: shopblocks/CC BY 2.0
The government is working with takeaway food app Deliveroo to help combat the spread of new coronavirus variants by promoting surge-testing initiatives.
From Saturday, users of Deliveroo’s app and website are being notified if surge testing is taking place in their area to try and manage an outbreak of a new variant. A message informing them of the testing programme – and encouraging them to visit their local council’s website to find out more – will be displayed once users have completed the checkout process for their food order.
The Deliveroo app also now features a banner linking to a GOV.UK page with information on the government’s testing programme.
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Health and social care secretary Matt Hancock said: “We are using every tool at our disposal to stop the spread of variants of concern and, thanks to Deliveroo, this new partnership will reach even more of the public to help us test as many people as possible and identify variants of concern. The government is committed to sending these variants into retreat and through our offer of free, twice-weekly testing combined with the phenomenal progress of our vaccination programme, we are doing everything we can to protect loved ones.”
In addition to the link-up with Deliveroo, government today announced partnerships with a selection of “leading social media platforms popular with young people” to promote its Covid vaccination programme – which is now open to everyone aged 18 and upwards throughout England.
Snapchat, Reddit, TikTok and YouTube will all be promoting vaccine uptake with features such as filters and stickers allowing users to demonstrate and share news of their vaccination. Question and answer sessions with government experts will also take place.
Hancock added: “With the offer of the vaccine now extended to all adults in England, we are leaving no stone unturned to boost uptake and encourage everyone to get the jab when eligible. I am delighted that Snapchat, Reddit, TikTok and YouTube – some of the most influential social media platforms – are coming together to support the biggest and most successful vaccine effort in NHS history.”
