Continuity of essential cash services during COVID-19

Continuity of essential cash services during COVID-19

8 Minutes
July 12, 2020

As the world responds to the latest government restrictions, we know this is an extremely challenging time for businesses across Australia and New Zealand. We are more committed than ever to ensure the continuity of essential cash services for both our customers and our communities. 

This includes but is not limited to:

  • supplying and maintaining ATMs
  • delivery and collection of cash
  • support and maintenance for cash handling equipment.

Our thoughts are with our customers who have been forced to close under the latest restrictions to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. We will do everything we can to help get them back on their feet when the time comes.

Armaguard Group and ACM are essential service providers

Armaguard Group and ACM have been endorsed with essential services status by the Reserve Banks in Australia and New Zealand for the ongoing provision of cash services. This means we will continue to provide services to our customers and community amidst lockdown conditions.

Maintaining service continuity

Armaguard Group and ACM play a vital role in ensuring cash remains available to all, and it is critically important that our services continue to function as normal. We are working closely with the central and major banks to ensure cash remains readily available. This includes ensuring that adequate cash reserves are maintained and managed on a daily basis.

We are also working with our partner banks in Australia, and our own rediATM platform, to ensure cash is available across the ATM network to assist the government in its distribution of the recent stimulus packages.

To ensure we can continue to operate effectively, the following measures have been taken:

  • Many team members are now working remotely. This transition has been managed carefully to minimise disruption to customers.
  • All in-person meetings have been cancelled and team members are using phone or video conferencing facilities to connect with customers.
  • Our Australia and New Zealand Customer Service Centres are operating as normal to service our customers, with social distancing measures in place.
  • Our leadership team meets daily to review and adjust our activities in line with guidelines by relevant authorities to ensure that operations continue as normal and we are meeting the needs of our customers.

We are reviewing the situation as it unfolds and working in accordance with the latest advice from health authorities and within federal and state guidelines.

Social distancing and hygiene precautions

We have communicated to all team members that if they have recently arrived from overseas or live with people who have arrived from overseas, they must inform their manager and self-isolate in accordance with government advice. All team members who have returned from travel are required to seek a medical certificate from a doctor clearing them for work.

As part of our usual WHS practice, we continue to conduct Fit for Work assessments of all team members prior to duties commencing each day. This includes confirmation from team members prior to entering the workspace that they have not been in contact with anyone who has presented symptoms similar to those of COVID-19.

Social distancing measures are in place in all work areas, with 4 square metres around work stations and team members maintaining 1.5 metres between individuals.

Our transport crew are taking extra hygiene precautions, and maintaining social distancing requirements.

Team members are instructed to stay home if they are sick.

Supporting essential health services

We have been heartened by the generosity of our customers during this unprecedented health crisis. Armaguard Group is also committed to providing all the support we can.

We are providing additional paid leave to any Armaguard Group team members with a partner who is required to work in the health sector and is faced with the challenge of caring for their children. This will allow our team members who meet certain criteria to care for children at home so their partner can continue to provide essential health services.

Our priority is to help relieve the burden on critical services and continue to support the community at this challenging time.

Managing precious cargo (non-cash transport)

Changing border controls and cut-backs to domestic and international airline schedules have generated severe supply chain challenges across the globe. This may impact normal secure export, import and interstate shipments. We are working closely with our partners to adapt to the rapidly changing environment wherever possible, and we will work with customers to assess and provide all service options available.

Handling cash in the age of COVID-19

Finally, we understand there is concern that COVID-19 can be spread via banknotes.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has advised that touching and handling cash and ATMs in public areas is considered low risk and that there is no evidence that cash is transmitting the novel coronavirus.  There is also no evidence that the virus can spread by penetrating the skin on the hands.

Getting COVID-19 on the hands can only lead to infection if it transfers from the hands to the mouth, nose or eyes. 

The best preventative measure is to continue to take standard flu hygiene precautions and wash hands with soap after using any form of payment – cash, smartphone, credit card or payment terminal – to reduce the risk of infection.

 

Partnering with our customers has never been so critical as the situation changes. We are committed to doing whatever we can to support their businesses and ensure the continuity of essential cash services for our communities.

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