Covid-19: Food and grocery delivery services follow social distancing

In the wake of COVID-19 outbreak and subsequent lockdowns in all major cities, people are staying inside their homes with food, groceries and other online orders continue to be delivered at the doorstep.

Now, E-commerce and delivery services have also started following social distancing with a practice that is now known as “contactless delivery”, where users can have their food delivered to a designated area without having to interact with the delivery rider in person.

Zomato has made the contactless food delivery available on their app through their ‘delivery instructions’ feature. It is said that, when the customer chooses the option, the valet will leave a package on a clean surface outside the door and customers can leave a bag, stool or table outside, they will receive a photo of the delivered food and can pick it up at their convenience.

Swiggy also has the feature now, along with delivery service Dunzo, which is asking customers to use the in-app partner chat option or by calling the delivery partner directly to avail the service. Domino’s Pizza also is likely to launch “zero contact delivery” across its 1,325 restaurants on orders made on their app. The delivery person will keep the food in front of a customer’s doorstep in a carry bag to prevent the risk of infection.

Also, E-commerce websites are also encouraging customers to avoid the exchange of cash and turn to digital payments.