Coronavirus update – the latest news from Yorkshire businesses

A Yorkshire-based Cannabidiol (CBD) producer has ramped up production of hand sanitiser from zero to 10,000 bottles a day over the last month.

It has also launched a ‘buy to donate’ scheme which will see thousands of bottles donated to the NHS and other essential services.

CBD Asylum, which is based in Hull, donated 1,000 of the first bottles off the production line to local organisations, including Hull Royal Infirmary, Castle Hill Hospital, local care homes and to help workers in essential shops.

The company, which employs 14 people, made the decision to produce hand sanitiser when it became apparent current supply chains were struggling, and realising it had suitable equipment to adapt within its production facility.

CBD Asylum’s new hand sanitiser has the necessary 70% isopropanol content to kill Coronavirus, blended with moisturiser and CBD, which is known for its anti-inflammatory and healing properties, helping to avoid damaged and cracked hands through over cleaning.

The company is now sending out around 1,000 litres of sanitiser every couple of days in a combination of 60ml and 500ml bottles.

The company has pledged to donate a free bottle of the sanitiser to those on the front line of the pandemic for every order placed through its website.

Liam Jones, CEO at CBD Asylum, said: “When we first started making the hand sanitiser I was experimenting for myself and my family and friends, because so many of the products out there are damaging for the skin.

“Within days we were able to produce 200 bottles a day, but when it became apparent there were so many shortages, we upscaled massively.

“Four weeks later we’re now at around 10,000 bottles a day output capacity. The team is working 15 hour days, seven days a week, but it’s something we all want to do.

“We know we are so lucky to currently be healthy and able to continue in business.

“So, as well as donating products to the amazing essential workers out there, we have also halved the prices of all our products while the pandemic continues.”

Any groups, organisations or workplaces who would like to put themselves forward for the free hand sanitiser donations can get in touch via https://cbdasylum.com/contact-us/.

For more information or to purchase the hand sanitiser, go to www.cbdasylum.com

:::

Leeds-based private hire firm Arrow is fighting back to adapt to the exceptional circumstances of the pandemic.

With normal trade from airports, corporate travel and general public usage largely shut down, the business says it has had to realign its activities.

It has started by purchasing and installing a large number of protective shields for its vehicles. These minimise the risk of infection by isolating the driver from the passenger.

A spokesman for the firm explained: “The key benefit to the shield is that it gives the driver and passenger the comfort that they are travelling in a safe and secure environment.

“It can be installed in eight minutes and drivers can easily accept payments, cash or card, thanks to the built-in access point.

:::

The UK’s global search for personal protective equipment (PPE) is being supported by Bradford-based overseas trade specialist, Chamber International.

It is working to source items from overseas to help guard frontline hospital staff against COVID-19.

Chamber International set aside a significant proportion of its operational capacity to trace overseas stocks of PPE and other items, including hand sanitisers and disinfectants.

It has taken action after UK stocks ran low, and it was confirmed that 119 NHS staff have died – not including those in care homes – after contracting the virus.

By working with importers in the UK and The Republic of Ireland, the organisation has identified large quantities of PPE in China, Italy and The Netherlands, which have been relayed to the UK Government through its procurement web portal.

In addition, trade specialists have identified a supply of hand sanitiser wipes, which currently await quality standard testing to see if they meet EU regulations before they can be imported to the UK.

Chamber International director, Tim Bailey, says: “The speed at which Coronavirus has spread has taken countries across the world by surprise and in the UK the number of NHS health workers who have died as a result of their work is shocking.”