A University of Leicester graduate has launched a new website to help restaurants test and trace their customers as part of Covid-19 lockdown easing measures.

Hamzah Malik says he created 21days.org.uk with the help of NHS doctors and advisors.

Currently business owners in the hospitality sector are being asked by the government to keep a record of their customers and visitors for 21 days in “a way that is manageable”.

21Days.org.uk works by scanning a restaurant’s QR code when a customer enters their premises. They then input their details and are reminded to log-out when they leave. In the case of an outbreak business owners can send their customers a text or email to anyone potentially affected.

The data is stored for 21 days and self erases after that time.

Hamzah Malik, who also runs digital marketing agency Regent Branding, said:

“Unlike other test and trace databases, 21Days is a Pay As You Go service, suiting small independents as well as larger chains, offering real-time capabilities that restaurants can access at any time to look at their footfall.

“21Days not only stores information efficiently but also protects customers by alerting them if they need to self-isolate. Restaurants can also send the required data to the NHS Test and Trace team. Additionally, 10% of 21Days’ profits go to Action Against Hunger UK.”

The government’s own test and trace app is due to be rolled out on 24 September.