QR codes and sign-ins - how France's reopened restaurants keep track of customers

As restaurants, bars and cafés reopen their indoor spaces, dinner or drinks inside now requires a sign-in - here's how it works.
What's happening?
Wednesday, June 9th marks phase 3 of France's reopening plan - the curfew moves back to 11pm, working from home is no longer be the rule and gyms and swimming pools reopened under strict health protocols.
IN DETAIL: France's plan for reopening after lockdown
It also means that cafés, restaurants and bars won’t have to worry about bad weather, as indoor dining is finally permitted again.
But there are questions arising as to how the French government will keep track of any Covid issues that may arise.
How?
For large events like concerts, a 'health passport' will be required, where customers will have to show a code for either a vaccination certificate or a recent Covid test.
READ ALSO How France's health passport will work this summer
This is not required for cafés, bars, restaurants, gyms and other places deemed "everyday activities" and people can enter those without having to provide any proof of their test or vaccination status.
Instead, establishments must provide a 'sign in' for customers to provide their name and contact details, so that if a fellow customer or staff member later tests positive for Covid they can be traced and contacted.
This can be provided either in a paper format or by a QR code that customers can scan with a smartphone.
This does not apply to terraces, only for people eating or drinking indoors at bars, cafés or restaurants.
How does the QR code work?
The black and white square QR codes have been widely used during the pandemic, with many restaurants replacing their menus with scannable codes to avoid cross-contamination.
For the sign-in code, first you must download the French Covid tracking app TousAntiCovid (if you have not already) which then links to a web page where you can fill in your name and contact details.
The government is urging restaurants to use these, as they are quicker and simpler to use and keep data more secure than a paper sign-in sheet which can be seen by all customers.
For people who do not have a smartphone, or don’t want to scan the code, a paper journal will be provided in order for them to leave their details.
If an individual tests positive for Covid they should notify the Tous Anti Covid app, which will activate a code that sends an alert to people who scanned the same restaurant's QR code on the same date.
All data will only be stored on the individual’s phone and will be erased after two weeks.
See Also
What's happening?
Wednesday, June 9th marks phase 3 of France's reopening plan - the curfew moves back to 11pm, working from home is no longer be the rule and gyms and swimming pools reopened under strict health protocols.
IN DETAIL: France's plan for reopening after lockdown
It also means that cafés, restaurants and bars won’t have to worry about bad weather, as indoor dining is finally permitted again.
But there are questions arising as to how the French government will keep track of any Covid issues that may arise.
How?
For large events like concerts, a 'health passport' will be required, where customers will have to show a code for either a vaccination certificate or a recent Covid test.
READ ALSO How France's health passport will work this summer
This is not required for cafés, bars, restaurants, gyms and other places deemed "everyday activities" and people can enter those without having to provide any proof of their test or vaccination status.
Instead, establishments must provide a 'sign in' for customers to provide their name and contact details, so that if a fellow customer or staff member later tests positive for Covid they can be traced and contacted.
This can be provided either in a paper format or by a QR code that customers can scan with a smartphone.
This does not apply to terraces, only for people eating or drinking indoors at bars, cafés or restaurants.
How does the QR code work?
The black and white square QR codes have been widely used during the pandemic, with many restaurants replacing their menus with scannable codes to avoid cross-contamination.
For the sign-in code, first you must download the French Covid tracking app TousAntiCovid (if you have not already) which then links to a web page where you can fill in your name and contact details.
The government is urging restaurants to use these, as they are quicker and simpler to use and keep data more secure than a paper sign-in sheet which can be seen by all customers.
For people who do not have a smartphone, or don’t want to scan the code, a paper journal will be provided in order for them to leave their details.
If an individual tests positive for Covid they should notify the Tous Anti Covid app, which will activate a code that sends an alert to people who scanned the same restaurant's QR code on the same date.
All data will only be stored on the individual’s phone and will be erased after two weeks.
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