Westminster sees surge in demand for fever screening services

(Sharecast News) - Managed services and technology company Westminster Group updated the market on the current effects of the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic on the business on Monday.
The AIM-traded firm said that, from the outset of the outbreak, it had established contingency plans, processes and put policies in place to limit "as much as possible" any impact on its people, customers and operations.

It said that to date it had only suffered "minor disruption" to its travel and activities, noting that its West African airport operations had not yet suffered any downturn, with passenger numbers there continuing to be at record levels.

"We continue to monitor the situation accordingly," the board said.

Westminster noted that it is "a recognised provider" of security and safety screening equipment, and had previously supplied fever screening equipment during epidemics such as Ebola and avian flu, to various countries around the world, although nothing on the scale now being seen.

"So far in 2020 we have dealt with over 500 enquiries from all over the world for fever detection and associated equipment, resulting in sales of approximately $0.72m.

"By comparison we had no such enquiries in 2019."

The company said it was currently handling an average of 28 enquiries per day, adding that its teams were "working hard" to support customers in, particularly with the potential disruption to supply chains and demand exceeding its suppliers manufacturing capacity in certain items.

"Given the dynamic situation in respect of the response to the current coronavirus pandemic it is difficult to forecast future demand, however we consider that the supply of fever screening and associated equipment will represent a material element of our business during the current financial period."

At 1526 GMT, shares in Westminster Group were down 17.5% at 6.6p.