Thermal imaging readers are being installed in Waterford City Centre to check the temperature of shoppers.
Waterford’s COVID 19 Economic Recovery Plan was launched yesterday.
The proposed locations are John Roberts Sq, The Apple Market, Arundel Sq in the city
It's a pilot scheme with Waterford Council and DD Total Solutions which developed the temperature readers.
Waterford Council say that initially it will simply provide temperature readings for the public and they will discuss the use of this information with the local retailers to see how it may be used to improve the safety of their shopping experience. They say that there is no requirement for shoppers to interact with the thermal imagining equipment, they added that the equipment does not hold any personal data and only provides a temperature reading.
If a person has a high temperature reading they've been advised not to enter shops.
A spokesperson for Waterford Council said:
"The pilot thermal imaging proposal is an initiative aimed at creating a sense of confidence and safety for Waterford shoppers and is entirely optional.
"There is no requirement for shoppers to interact with the thermal imaging equipment and shops will not request a 'passport' as has been reported.
"The thermal imaging equipment does not hold any personal data and only provides a temperature reading.
"The proposal to install the equipment is at pilot stage and public sentiment and feedback is welcome and will be considered before any investment is undertaken"
City retailers welcome the initiative and would see some of the positives outlined included as being:
- customer confidence,
- staff confidence (could voluntarily check their own temp if feeling unwell),
- positive promotion of safe Waterford,
- potentially useful in venues where long periods of time will be spent (cinema/culture venues)
- potential for it to be of increased value should we experience a second wave of Covid-19 into the future.
