Home delivery giants streamline services amid pandemic

Ajay Joshi

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, August 4

As social distancing became the call of the hour and residents became wary of dining out, several online delivery sites have come to their rescue. After the delivery of food was allowed, foodies have heaved a sigh of relief.

Despite restrictions, several food delivery giants have been ensuring to deliver food to their customers in the shortest possible time after following all precautions. Vasu Arora, manager at city Zomato branch, said, “Apart from masks, sanitisers and gloves, the ‘Selfie sharing rule’ has become the new normal. The delivery boys have been directed to upload their selfies in the app after picking up the orders from the eateries and then after delivering the orders. The selfies ensure that the food was delivered safely to the consumers. At the beginning of the lockdown, when the online delivery of cooked food was suspended, we started delivering grocery and other essentials.

When the lockdown was at its peak, we used to deliver essential services instead of food items.

Even then we ensured safety to the fullest. We implemented contactless dining so as our users can stay home and get deliveries right at their doorsteps without any hassle,” he said.

The restaurant owners are also ensuring that their food is delivered safely. Owner at the King Restaurant said,”After cleaning and disinfecting our whole premises, we have provided sanitisers, masks and gloves to our delivery boys. Moreover, they have been directed not to accept cash and just deliver food at the doorstep after informing them.

“Face masks and sanitisers have become the new definition of essentials during these uncertain times. To confirm that the orders have been delivered safely, we click selfies at the customers doorstep with our mask and gloves on. Mostly, the customers have been asked to pay online but when it’s not feasible, we request them to pay the exact cash so that there is no exchange of money. The company takes care of our safety. Presently, we receive around 15-20 orders, said Rahul, a delivery boy working with Zomato.

A thorough thermal scanning of delivery boys is carried out before they are asked to take away orders. They are asked to sanitise hands before receiving orders. Online delivery is picking up pace now. Our restaurant is back in service after it was closed earlier when one of our family members tested positive for the virus. Madan Lal, owner, Maddi Samosa restaurant

Online food delivery has saved me from hunger pangs. Hence, after the home delivery of food resumed, I was happy that I can finally order several delicacies from my favourite restaurant as the lockdown made me cautious about venturing out in crowded places. It is good that the food delivery sites have been following all safety guidelines while delivering food. Komal Sharda, a resident

Considering the safety of my family members, I have stopped ordering food online. I am aware of the fact that the food delivery giants are abiding by all safety protocols but considering the rising Covid-19 count, I cannot take risk. Instead, I prefer food takeaways. I consider them more safe. Sumit Kaushik, a resident

The work is definitely back on track now. Though our major chunk of customers — school or college students and youths residing in PGs — are still missing, we manage to get enough orders. After reaching any restaurant for any order, we are first thermal scanned and only after proper sanitisation are we allowed to take away the orders. Bir Tiwari, a delivery boy