Leading forecourt hand-protection company GripHero today announced that it will offer its hand-protection dispensers free of charge for a limited time to contain to tackle coronavirus spread.
The announcement follows the government’s decision to move to the ‘delay’ phase of responding to the virus.
GripHero said its move will enable forecourts to provide hand-protection to customers on every fuel pump handle and refuelling bay, in an effort to stop the spread of the virus at the fuel pump.
The coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, has the ability to survive for over 24 hours on high touchpoint surfaces, including fuel pump handles.
Oli Yeo, managing director of GripHero, said: “When drivers cough or sneeze, they spread small droplets of mucus onto the steering wheel and their hands, which can easily be passed on to thousands of other users via fuel pump handles.
“Given this fact, the forecourt sector has a very real responsibility to protect its customers, minimising the potential for the contraction of coronavirus at the pump, while motorists should be encouraged to wear hand-protection each and every time they refuel.”
Yeo added that the company has been seeing huge growth in demand for GripHero in recent weeks.
“We have seen a surge in international demand since the outbreak of COVID-19, as networks recognise their health and safety responsibilities. Only yesterday, we confirmed multiple consignments of GripHero for international forecourt networks who are taking steps to protect drivers from the possibility of contracting COVID-19 at the pump,” he said.
“Based on current manufacturing rates, we estimate that GripHero hand-protection could be on each and every fuel bay in the country within 6 months. If Government were to stipulate that all forecourts must have hand-protection available at all times, this timeframe could be significantly shortened, but that would require further investment in manufacturing.”
