Free nappies and more data: The incredible ways Aussie businesses are helping out right now.

The spread of COVID-19 has profoundly disrupted the everyday operations of businesses around the globe.

With Prime Minister Scott Morrison announcing gradual changes to our way of life, businesses must respond to the pandemic in unprecedented measures.

In the hope of helping our households deal with the rapid spread of coronavirus, many Aussie businesses are doing incredible things.

Here’s what businesses are providing brief relief for populations to help tackle the crisis.

Woolworths

Woolworths has announced they will pay their casual staff up to two weeks’ wages if they cannot work their rostered shifts due to self-isolation requirements.

Earlier this month, they further issued a statement saying their supermarkets will have a dedicated hour from 7am-8am for elderly shoppers and those with disabilities to do their shopping.

We’re launching a dedicated shopping hour in our stores to help support the needs of the elderly & people with disability in the community. From tomorrow until at least friday, we’ll be opening exclusively for them to shop from 7-8am, where permitted.

— Woolworths (@woolworths) March 15, 2020

It came after journalist Lisa Wilkinson made a plea to them on Sunday night’s The Project to ensure “no one is left behind”.

Coles

Coles too has introduced a “community hour” to help those most at risk of being severely ill with coronavirus.

From Wednesday the first hour of trade in all Coles supermarkets will be exclusively open to the elderly & disabled. “Community Hour” will help improve access during this time of unprecedented demand. Stores will also close no later than 8pm so team members can clean & restock.

— Coles Supermarkets (@Coles) March 16, 2020

To prevent stockpiling, they’ve also introduced new measures of limits on food supplies.

“Shoppers may now only purchase two packs per customer of the following: eggs, chilled pasta, frozen vegetables and frozen dessert,” they announced.

Coles has today introduced new purchase limits to improve availability for customers. Shoppers may now only purchase two packs per customer of the following: eggs, chilled pasta, frozen vegetables and frozen dessert.

— Coles Supermarkets (@Coles) March 16, 2020

Optus

As a large proportion of the population transitions to working from home, Optus is providing their customers with free additional data.

Optus will offer eligible Postpaid mobile customers a one-off add-on of 20GB of data during April 2020. Eligible Prepaid customers that recharge with $40 or more during April will receive 10GB of extra data.

Tooshies

Tooshies have just launched an initiative to give away nappies and care packages to parents who need them and are unable to either afford new nappies, or cannot physically buy them.

You can nominate someone you know here, to receive a Tooshies by Tom care package.

Free online workout sessions

A number of high-profile fitness personalities have offered free workout sessions via their apps for everyone in self-isolation and quarantine mode.

Steph Claire Smith and Laura Henshaw have announced they will be offering free live online workouts via their Keep it Cleaner social media pages.

Sam Wood has done the same, via his 28 by Sam Wood Facebook page.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Over 40,000 people from all over the world joined our family in our home last night ❤️. Here’s a little look. Immunity + Community You can access the workout on the 28 by Sam Wood Facebook page. Next Live workout is 10am Wednesday morning (Melb time). See you then x

A post shared by Sam Wood (@samjameswood) on Mar 16, 2020 at 3:32pm PDT

Education Perfect

Education Perfect, the leading global education software provider, is supporting schools from over 30 countries amid this pandemic.

They announced this week they have made their services free with unlimited access to all schools until May 1.

InstantScripts

InstantScripts is trying to reduce the burden on GP clinics at the moment by providing a convenient solution for patients needing everyday prescriptions.

So, they have made their services free for any patient over the age of 70 who needs a prescription. For others, it is only $15 for a digital consultation and instant prescription.

Do you know any other businesses doing incredible things to help the community amid this pandemic? Let us know in the comments section below!

Read more:

• What you need to know about COVID-19 today, Tuesday March 17.
• The most creative things people are doing in isolation to remind us we’re all in this together.
• “Now’s the time for solidarity.” Idris Elba tests positive for COVID-19.

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