Apple on Thursday placed the U.K. government’s public service announcement on COVID-19 at the very top of the App Store.
Customers who visit will be greeted first and foremost by chief medical officer Chris Whitty’s guidance on reducing the spread of the coronavirus. They will also see a handy link to the NHS app for iOS.
The U.K. is currently on partial lockdown amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Citizens are advised to leave their homes only if it’s absolutely necessary. Seeing friends and family is not recommended.
It’s part of a nationwide effort to curb the increase in COVID-19 cases so that they do not overwhelm the U.K.’s National Health Service. Apple is using the App Store to remind us of that.
App Store highlights UK coronavirus PSA
Immediately after opening the App Store, at the top of its Today tab, you will see a new card titled “Coronavirus: UK government advice.” Tapping it lets you watch the PSA from Professor Chris Whitty.
“To help save lives, stay at home,” Whitty says. “Anyone can spread coronavirus. You should now only go out when absolutely necessary, for food, medicine, work, or exercise.”
If you must go out, “try to stay two meters apart” from others, Whitty says. “Do not meet others outside your household — even friends and family.”
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
The video finishes with the U.K. government’s COVID-19 slogan: “Stay home. Protect the NHS. Save lives.”
Not a first for the App Store
The card also includes a link to the NHS app, which U.K. citizens can download for advice on the coronavirus.
We don’t typically sees PSAs like this in the App Store, but given that COVID-19 has become a national emergency for many countries, it seems like a terrific idea.
The App Store earlier this month started displaying similar PSAs from the White House. They offered official guidance on what citizens should and shouldn’t do when practicing social distancing.
Apple has been doing all it can to help fight the coronavirus pandemic, such as donating large sums of money and N95 masks, and taking extra steps to evaluate COVID-19-related apps to ensure they can be trusted.
