Food delivery service Deliveroo has announced that it will make the pick-up and delivery of all food contact-free, in a response to the continued spread of the new coronavirus (COVID-19).
"This is to help protect your safety, as well as the safety of our restaurants and riders in Belgium as the Covid-19 outbreak continues," the company said in an email to users on Wednesday morning.
This news comes as Belgium introduces strict measures across the country. Eleven million more people will go into lockdown from Wednesday noon, as Belgium becomes the latest country in the EU to force public life to shut down to curb the coronavirus pandemic.
To take additional precautions, Deliveroo says it has asked all restaurant partners to introduce contact-free pick up with Deliveroo riders. "We have also sent them signs to display at their properties so that others will understand and respect these new safety measures," the message adds.
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As the message explains, contact-free delivery means that:
- You’ll see a pop-up message appear as soon as you open the Deliveroo app letting you know that all orders will now be delivered contact-free
- You’ll be asked if you want to add additional delivery instructions so your rider knows where to leave your food
- You’ll receive a notification when your rider is nearby, reminding you that your order will be delivered contact-free
- When your rider arrives they will place your order on the ground outside your door
- Your rider will step back at least 1 metre and wait nearby for you to collect it
Belgium's heightened measures will last from noon on Wednesday until 5 April.
Jules Johnston
The Brussels Times
