Manchester bar and restaurant instals forehead temperature scanners for post lockdown reopening

Operator Mission Mars is using thermal imaging cameras from tech company Avoira at its Albert’s Schloss  bar and restaurant as part of its safety plans. The artificial intelligence powered technology automatically scans the foreheads of those wanting to enter and within a second identify anyone carrying a raised body temperature.

The venue’s reception staff will be immediately notified by an audio alert and a monitor sited above the bar’s welcome desk.

Mission Mars says the technology will be crucial in giving confidence to both customers and staff once the government gives the green light to re-open.

“Whilst checking in, guests will have their temperature measured by the camera,” says Mission Mars’ director Neil McLeod.

“If they have an abnormal reading our staff will then discreetly ask them if there may be any reason for it. They may have rushed to meet someone, in which case we would give them five minutes then re-test them.

“It’s very visual, a marker that things have changed and something that will help build confidence among our employees and guests so they can enjoy themselves.”

Anyone with an unexplained raised body temperature will be politely denied entry and advised to seek medical advice. 

Other safety measures include guests being greeted outside by a hand sanitiser dispensing beer pump before being temperature screened.

There will be no bar service with orders handled via a website or at the table from single-use paper menus. Furniture has also been arranged to support social distancing with toilet arrangements reconfigured to prevent congestion.

McLeod says that Albert’s Schloss is the first of the city’s bars and restaurants to deploy thermal imaging as part of its Covid-19 protocols. “I’m not aware of anyone else doing it at this stage,” he says.

“We’ve seen many educational institutions already commit to this technology, but hospitality businesses have held back,” says Avoira’s managing director Andrew Roberts.

Mission Mars says it will monitor the use of the technology at Albert’s Schloss before deciding whether to introduce it at other venues, which include Albert Hall, The Deaf Institute and Gorilla, Trof bar in the city’s Northern quarter and two Rudy’s pizzeria restaurants.

The company also owns Liverpool’s Albert’s Schenke bar and Rudy’s restaurants in Liverpool, Birmingham and Leeds.