Avis Budget Covid-19 Response Measures

In response to the growing concern about the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), we want to assure our customers that we are vigilantly implementing enhanced protocols to ensure their safety. The safety of our customers and staff is of paramount importance to us, and we are closely monitoring the news, information, advice and guidance from the World Health Organisation and the National Health Department regarding the spread of the Coronavirus. 

In order to slow down the spread of the virus and to assist our customers with making travel arrangements, we are taking the following actions: 

Vehicles: 
We have enhanced the already robust vehicle-cleaning processes that take place after each rental. In particular, we are paying special attention to places that people touch, such as door handles, steering wheels, controls and other hard surfaces, by cleaning these with alcohol-based sanitiser. 

Facilities: 
We are cleaning all our facilities frequently with recommended sanitising products. This includes work surfaces, telephone handsets, computer keyboards, laptops, tablets, cellphones and frequently handled equipment. We have placed hand sanitisers at key points in all our sites to encourage customers, suppliers, visitors and employees to constantly clean their hands. Further to this, surgical face masks and hand gloves have been provided to most of our sites and can be used by customers and employees, if they so choose. 

Welfare of our Employees: 
We are taking steps to ensure the welfare of our employees. This includes instructing all employees who feel ill to stay at home and consult their healthcare providers. All our staff are being informed to be diligent about frequent hand washing. We strongly advise against direct personal contact such as handshakes and hugging, as this could also transmit the infection. 

Chauffeur-Driven Services: 
Our chauffeur drive, point-to-point and vehicle shuttle drivers are being provided with gloves to wear and the recommended sanitising products to be used by customers for their luggage, if they so wish. 

Existing Bookings: 
We will be waiving cancellation fees for any bookings cancelled as a result of a government Coronavirus-related travel ban. We reassure customers who have an existing booking that we look forward to seeing them, and that we are doing everything we can to promote a safe, secure rental experience. 

Any customers who have booked through a travel agent, tour operator or a third-party broker should please contact them directly for further guidance should their travel be disrupted. 

Future Bookings: 
In order to enable our customers to book with confidence, we have increased flexibility on all future bookings by enabling changes or cancellations without fees for rentals due to start before 1 May, 2020. For bookings that start after this time, there will be no penalties for changes made up to 72 hours before the start of the rental. 

Future Actions: 
We have plans in place in the event of the following; 
•    A Coronavirus breakout within our operation 
•    A large number of our staff (more than 20%) becoming ill/isolated 
•    A provincial/national lockdown 

Together with our holding company Barloworld, we have a pandemic plan in place to mitigate the above events. 

We advise that our customers keep updated on the latest developments from the World Health Organisation and the National Health Department. The Health Department has set up a hotline (0800 0299 99) to respond to all COVID-19 related enquiries, including where they can get tested in their local area. 

During this challenging time, many people are choosing different ways to travel. If they need a rental vehicle or chauffeur-driven services, we are here. Our customers’ safety is our highest priority and we truly appreciate the trust they have placed in our team and our company.