COVID-19 pandemic – Can I still hire a van in St Helens?

These are unprecedented times. COVID-19 has affected almost all aspects of our day-to-day lives and people are sticking to the guidelines as much as possible. Which is why, over the last few weeks, we’ve had many calling us to ask – am I allowed to hire a van in St Helens during the lockdown?

The answer is simple

Yes, absolutely! In line the current government measures, you can still hire a van in St Helens.

PSD is classed as an ‘essential’ service provider. The UK may have been told to stay at home and travel only when it is absolutely necessary. But short and long-term vehicle rentals are still required to meet critical transportation and personal mobility needs. Therefore, we remain open for business and endeavour to keep our local community on-the-go during these difficult times.

Our priority at the moment is to help frontline responders – such as healthcare professionals, emergency services and utility companies – to continue to move goods and provide their key services. For example, last week we supplied Whiston Hospital with a compact van, which is now being used to make crucial medical deliveries throughout the St Helens and Knowsley area.

However, it’s important to note, we’re here to help anyone in need of a vehicle. Perhaps you’re a key worker and need a way to travel to work? Or maybe your house sale has just completed and it’s time to move out? Not only are our van rentals in St Helens a more convenient option, they’re also independently-driven and much safer than using public transport, furniture removal services, etc.

A modified van hire service in St Helens

We’re fully committed to protecting both our staff and customers. Therefore, whilst we remain open, we have modified our services slightly to match government guidance – taking a few simple steps to ensure the safety of anyone on-site and those who have chosen to use our vehicles.

1. 1. Restricted access to the PSD site

To maintain social distancing, we have now limited the number of employees on-site at any one time. Staff have remote access to our computer systems and service network, and are working from home to answer your calls regarding van hire in St Helens, breakdowns and routine maintenance.

When it comes to collecting or returning a vehicle, a team member will be there to help. But you will need to arrange a specific time for your visit to the store – either by giving us a call or provisionally booking online. We’re also operating a ‘kerbside service’. This means that you will not need to enter the store itself and the vehicle handover will be done ‘kerbside’, adhering to strict hygiene protocols.

2. 2. Monitoring the health of staff and customers

Clear guidelines have been established for any employees or customers who feel ill.

If a member of staff – or someone in their household – starts to experience the main symptoms of coronavirus (i.e. persistent cough, high temperature), they will be asked to return home immediately and isolate for 14 days. Similarly, if you (as the customer) are starting to show signs of COVID-19, please do not arrange a new rental and try to cancel any existing reservations you have in place.

3. 3. Enhanced cleaning procedures

Hygiene is always of paramount importance to us. But, at the moment, we realise it’s more crucial than ever before – and, as such, have introduced a range of new cleaning measures.

Our staff are washing their hands frequently whilst on-site and any touchable surfaces are being wiped regularly with disinfectant. But most importantly, in between each van hire in St Helens, we are taking the time to clean the vehicle as meticulously as we can.

This includes vacuuming the interior and giving it a general wipe-down, before sanitising all high-touch areas with antibacterial sprays and wipes. From the key fob, door handles and centre console to the steering wheel, gear stick and handbrake, we cover every inch to ensure your safety.

Book your van hire in St Helens today

As circumstances surrounding the coronavirus continue to evolve, we will continuously monitor the situation and implement additional safety measures – as and when they are required.

But for now, we’re open for business and happy to be of assistance. If you need to hire a van (or car) in St Helens, please feel free to give us a call on 0345 222 1022. Alternatively, fill out an online provisional booking and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can. These are challenging times for us all and we’re doing everything we can to help and keep our town and its key workers on the move.