It’s been noted that many companies are doing their best to try and fight Covid-19. In this piece, we would like to highlight the steps companies that interact with customers on a daily basis, have taken to mitigate the spread of the virus.

The Fight Against Covid-19

Airtel

Image Courtesy Westgate

Airtel Kenya has responded to the government’s directive to close schools to avoid the spread of Coronavirus in the country. They are partnering with Longhorn Publishers to offer FREE internet access on its network to enable students to continue learning through the Longhorn e-learning Platform. However, this will be accessible to Airtel subscribers only.

Equity Bank

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• Mobile Banking Transaction Fees: Equity has waived Mobile Banking Transaction Fees for the following services up to
  30th JUNE 2020:
  • Equity to Equity Mobile bank transfers – FREE
  • Bank to Mobile Wallet transfers – FREE
  • Mobile Wallet to Bank transfers – FREE
  • Customer Payments using Equity Cards – FREE
  • Mobile payments for Bills, Utilities, Shopping, Fuel, etc. – FREE
  • Mobile balance and limit enquiries – FREE

• Loans: Short term Personal and Micro Loans will now be processed digitally.
• Digital Account Opening: Activation of digital account opening and management on our digital channels, including
  Mobile App and Internet.
• Contactless Cards: All Equity Debit and Prepaid cards (Visa and Mastercard) and our Equity POSs are now contactless.
• In addition to this, Equity urges you to utilize our digital and online channels to enable you to access our banking services 24 hours a day. These include:
  • Equitel and EazzyBanking App;
  • Equity Mastercard, VISA and AMEX Cards;
  • EazzyFx for forex trading;
  • EazzyNet for individuals web-banking;
  • Eazzychama for Groups and Chamas web-banking;
  • Eazzybiz for SME and Corporate web-banking;

Glovo

Image Supplied

Glovo is a delivery app that has been in Kenya for a while now. The app offers deliveries from various locations including restaurants and supermarkets. These are the steps they have taken to mitigate the spread of Coronavirus.

• They have adopted signatureless delivery. This means that customers will no longer have to sign for orders upon delivery.
• Introduction of alternative payment methods in line with the President’s message to avoid cash. You can now pay for your Glovo delivery conveniently using card or Mpesa.
• Contactless deliveries:  The courier will leave the order on your doorstep whenever possible and ring the bell.
• Pre-taped bags: Glovo has introduced a system that guarantees the optimum packaging of your purchases.
• Communication with couriers: They are in constant contact with couriers letting them know about the necessary hygiene measures.

JUMIA

Image Courtesy Reuters

Jumia has acted fast in recent days to make sure that all is well in parts of the delivery process. This is from restaurants, delivery riders to customer drop-off. Jumia is trying to make sure they keep the highest standards of hygiene and minimise physical contact with people and surfaces:

• Training Teams. The organization is training restaurant staff and delivery riders, on the virus and are actively practising preventative measures:
  • Staying home if sick
  • Not shaking hands
  • Regularly washing hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based sanitizers
  • Checking the temperature of customer-facing staff regularly
  • Working with restaurant partners to ensure that WHO-recommended hygiene measures are in force on-site.
• They are offering no-contact options to avoid people and packages making unnecessary contact with other people or surfaces:
  • Restaurant staff will now place products directly into the delivery bag and the customers to take the products out.
  • You can use the comments box when you place an order to instructions. Such as “please leave my order on the doorstep”.
  • Recommends online payments using Jumia Pay, to further eliminate unnecessary surface contact.

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SafaricomPLC and NCBABankKenya

The two companies have announced that all M-Shwari late payment sanctions including rollover fees will be deferred by 30 days; CRB listing of M-Shwari customers will be suspended for the next 90 days.

SafeBoda

SafeBoda has embarked on a global Covid-19 Safe program. It is aimed at equipping the rider community with factual information and preventive measures to keep the SafeBoda community and their customers safe during this time.

• SafeBoda provides safety gear:-
  • Fresh hairnet for every customer.
  • Open face helmet.
  • Customer Reflector.
• They urge you to use the SafeBoda Cashless wallet.
• Send your packages or items using their Send Option.
• Order in for food using SafeBoda Food.

Sky Garden

SkyGarden is an e-commerce platform built for African businesses. They are also taking steps to curb the spread of the virus.

• Their delivery promises will take longer than usual. This is because they are working around the clock with their service partners to ensure availability on all products.
• Their delivery partners have equipped all their riders with hand sanitizer, face masks, and gloves. They are also training them on the various ways in which they can prevent the spread of the virus.
• SkyGarden is also working to ensure that no one artificially raised prices on basic need products during this health crisis. They have blocked items that are making fake claims or ones they deem harmful to customers. The company will continue to actively monitor their marketplace and remove items that violate these policies.

SWVL

SWVL is a technology start-up allowing users to book seats in shuttles operating on fixed routes and timings from their mobile phones. It currently operates in Egypt, Kenya and Pakistan.

• SWVL Kenya has announced the adoption of essential routes for commuter during the COVID-19 pandemic. These routes shall remain operational to allow people to shop for food supplies and other essentials, as well as commute if necessary. They shall also be offering free rides on these essential routes to ease the cost of commuting.
• Commuters that must travel for essential work can use the free ride service by using the HERE4YOU promotional code and free rides will also be reflected in the SWVL app. The service has also adopted new measures to operate in line with the directives issued in regards to public transport.
• In accordance with the directive to limit the number of passengers per vehicle, they will cap each vehicle’s booking capacity at 60%. 

UBER Kenya

UBER has stated that they are working on implementing further mechanisms to support their Uber community. Here are the current actions Uber has taken:

• Supplies: They are working to provide drivers and couriers with access to sanitizers to help them keep them and their cars clean. They are partnering with manufacturers and distributors to source as much as possible.
• Support: UBER is supporting drivers and couriers who are diagnosed with COVID-19 or placed in individual quarantine by a public health authority. Drivers and couriers in these situations will receive financial assistance for a period of up to 14 days. They have also decided to temporarily close The Greenlight Hubs in Kenya to encourage social distancing.
• Communication: Twice in the past month, information and guidance has been sent to all riders and drivers globally, as well as Uber Eats customers and couriers around the world with helpful tips and information on what we are doing. See more on their website.
• Food delivery: 

• • Restaurants: The organization has asked restaurants to set up dedicated waiting areas for delivery drivers.

Do you know of any other companies fighting the good fight? Let us know how.