SWA portal helps fight against the coronavirus
Only in the last 3 weeks there have been more than 130 registrations in the new portal launched by the Scotch Whisky Association to help fighting against the spread of the coronavirus. This initiative of SWA has had a remarkably good response from not only the distilleries but also from the British organisations and medical services.
The portal created by SWA enables the distilleries to report how much of ethanol they are able to provide for the production of hand sanitizers but also lets other companies and organisations help with the packing or distributing the goods. At the same time organisations and Governmental Services can submit their need and contact the distributors. The portal has already been used by dozens of NHS trusts, British community care providers or prisons.
At this moment, Scottish distilleries have declared the willingness to provide over 13,5 mln litres of ethanol, which can be used to produce over 54 mln bottles of hand sanitizers.
“It has been great to see Scotch Whisky producers pivoting to support frontline services in the fight against COVID-19. Large and small distillers have responded quickly to calls for support from the NHS, care homes, charities, and local service providers, such as Councils. Large amounts of ethanol have been provided at scale, for both hand sanitiser and sterilisation purposes. Many community organisations have also been supported locally with hand sanitiser being supplied direct to them by Scotch Whisky producers” – said Karen Betts, Chief Executive of the Scotch Whisky Association. - “The SWA portal has proved an invaluable tool in connecting those who need sanitiser and ethanol with those who can provide it, and we now have over 130 organisations up and down the UK registered on the portal as well as some overseas companies offering help” – she added.
Business Minister Nadhim Zahawi said: “I would like to thank the Scotch Whisky Association and its members for this generous initiative, which will help protect the health of millions of people in communities across Scotland.”
