Deliveroo issues coronavirus advice as delivery firms thrive

London-based food delivery firm Deliveroo issued an announcement regarding the steps it was taking to protect customers, riders and restaurants from the spread of coronavirus.

CEO Will Shu, who is known to have also worked shifts as a Deliveroo driver, said in the announcement: “As well as providing restaurants with additional packaging and stickers to seal the delivery bags, we’re also launching a no-contact drop-off service which will mean you can request in the app that your rider leaves the food on your doorstep - removing the need for direct contact for both parties.”

The company also said it would provide “financial support” to riders, albeit only those diagnosed with Coronavirus.

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Deliveroo is far from unilateral in its rollout of no-contact delivery, with delivery companies across the world rolling out initiatives to leave food on doorsteps. McDonald’s, Starbucks and others such as Postmates have brought in additional drop off options.

Food delivery services are experiencing something of a boom as self-isolation cases increase and they become one of the only ways of interacting with the outside world. Consequently, Shu emphasised the platform’s capability for the delivery of household goods: “As well as food from restaurants and takeaways, you can also order kitchen and household products from local stores and supermarkets on the Deliveroo app, making every day life that much easier.”

Other gig economy jobs have experienced a fall rather than a rise in demand due to coronavirus, with the likes of Uber and Lyft seeing a tailing off in demand for rides. Gig economy workers face a stark choice of continuing to work while ill or staying home and not being paid, considering they lack the protections afforded by traditional jobs.