COVID 19 - NHS Test and Trace

Purpose for processing

The government has launched an NHS Test and Trace service to manage the risk of the Covid 19 virus re-emerging. The service:

  • provides testing for anyone who has symptoms of coronavirus to find out if they have the virus
  • gets in touch with anyone who has had a positive test result to help them share information about any close recent contacts they have had
  • alerts those contacts, where necessary, and notifies them they need to self-isolate to help stop the spread of the virus

The Council is taking part in respect of attendees at its premises including in the provisions of certain of its services such as the operation of the Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon and the North Devon Crematorium. 

The lawful basis we rely on is as follows:

Article 6(1)(e) of the GDPR, which allows us to process personal data when this is necessary to perform our public tasks as a local authority - this will be pursuant to the Council's public law duties in respect of the public health of those in its area.  This includes section 12 of the Health and Social Care Act 2012.

What we need:

Pursuant to the NHS Test and Trace programme we require the name and contact details of attendees and/or visitors to certain of our premises.

What we do with it:

We will only share your personal data with NHS Test and Trace and then only if asked to do so to help prevent the spread of Covid 19.  You can find out more about how NHS Test and Trace use your data on their website, please click here.

How long we keep it:

In line with guidance issued by the Department for Health and Social Care, we will keep your details safely and in compliance with GDPR legislation for 21 days before securely disposing of or deleting them.

What are your rights?

We are acting pursuant to our public health public task to store and share your personal data pursuant to the NHS Test and Trace programme. You therefore have the right to object to our processing of your personal data. There are legitimate reasons why we may refuse your objection, which depend on why we are processing it. For more information on your rights see Your Rights.