Coronavirus business update: Latest news across the North West

A new online self-screening bot has been launched to help businesses manage visitors’ and customers’ safety more easily, before any face-to-face activity takes place under current social distancing rules.

Launched by Wrexham-based outsourced communication provider Moneypenny, the new tool is available to companies across a range of sectors including hair and beauty, leisure and hospitality.

The bot has three core functions, all of which can be customised easily.

First, it captures contact details securely in one place to enable track and trace should a business be exposed.

It also communicates any on-site policies, such as the use of face coverings or handwashing on arrival and gains the visitors’ consent.

Finally, it asks users a series of health-related questions to check clients or customers are in good health before they visit.

Self-screening Bot will ascertain whether anyone is self-isolating, has any COVID-19 symptoms, has come into contact with anyone who has or is suspected of having the virus, or if they feel unwell.

This is the latest innovation to help organisations remain efficient and operational during the pandemic from Moneypenny, which also offers telephone answering and live chat solutions.

Joanna Swash, chief executive of Moneypenny, which handles more than 15 million customer contacts each year, said: “We’ve developed this tool specifically to offer extra reassurance and give confidence to business owners as they begin on their road to recovery.

“By using the bot companies can ensure that all parties are symptom-free before they come into contact with each other, and can rest assured that they’ve done as much as possible to protect their customers and clients without juggling a messy paper trail and clunky forms.”

She added: “This is not a substitute for observing social distancing and extra hand hygiene, but an extra layer of safety and due diligence to help the economy thrive again.

“With an incredibly simple set up that takes less than 24 hours and no long-term contracts, we expect Self-screening Bot to be a very welcome tool for UK businesses.”

Moneypenny currently supports businesses of all sizes from industries including property, legal, healthcare and finance.

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Mark Hughes

A free digital tool kit has been created to support Greater Manchester businesses in safely reopening from lockdown.

Part of the Safely Reopening GM campaign delivered by the Growth Company in partnership with TFGM and GMCA, the Safely Reopening Your Workplace Tool Kit includes:

• Support on staggering shift patterns to avoid public transport peaks
• Advice on travel options for employees, including cycling and walking
• Queue management
• Quick links to the latest guidance to safely reopen
• A free Covid-19 risk assessment template
• Travel advice from TfGM

The Safely Reopening GM – #SafeGM initiative is designed to signpost advice and examples of good practice for employers and employees and helps to ensure that measures are in place to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

The co-ordinated campaign was launched by Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham ahead of the June 15 relaxation of lockdown measures for non-essential retail and has been updated in line with changing advice, including mandatory use of face coverings in retail premises from July 24.

It is visible online and in public across Greater Manchester and directs people to the Together GM Reopening website – togethergm.org/reopening/ – which has been created to signpost trusted sources of information.

The campaign will continue to provide advice and support to businesses as part of the Growth Company’s #HereForBusiness response to the economic impact of the coronavirus, which includes a series of webinars and FAQs for business.

In addition, the weekly rolling Growth Company COVID-19 Impact Survey continues to monitor the economic impact of coronavirus, enabling responses to be targeted to meeting the greatest need.

Mark Hughes, Growth Company chief executive, said: “Many more businesses are now starting to implement measures that will enable them to lift out of lockdown and contribute to economic recovery, providing jobs for local people.

“Part of the Safety Reopening GM initiative, this free digital tool kit will be an invaluable resource.”