Tech Could Help Make Pubs and Restaurants More Covid Safe

Scots engineers currently developing technology to help pubs, restaurants and shops reduce Covid-19 risk by minimising the spread of airborne droplets

15:35 14 April 2021

Researchers from Glasgow University’s James Watt School of Engineering are currently working on an online tool that could be used by pubs, restaurants and shops in reducing Covid-19 risk. Using mathematical models of how droplets are carried across indoor spaces, the system will help predict their spread.

 

The tool, which can be downloaded using a mobile device, will provide users detailed models of any indoor space and visualise how changes in seating arrangements, number of occupants and amount of ventilation affect the transport of droplets around the area.

 

Professor Andrea Cammarano, of the University of Glasgow’s James Watt School of Engineering, said: “Social distancing and the use of masks are two of the most effective measures in helping prevent the spread of Covid-19.

 

“While vaccines are rolling out around the world, it’s likely that we will still need to maintain some level of social distancing for quite some time into the future.

 

“In the meantime, however, we still need to share indoor spaces with each other in places like schools, supermarkets and gyms.

 

“Businesses, too, need to be able to stay open wherever possible to keep the economy running.

 

“Currently, there’s no unified system to help people decide how best to minimise the risk of infection indoors.

 

“Our hope is that Reliant will provide an easy-to-use platform to help anyone who has a responsibility for health and safety in an indoor space to keep people safe, both while we’re dealing with Covid-19 and for any similar pandemics we might face in coming years.”