Food delivery platforms go the extra mile for last-mile fleet

With food delivery platforms expecting orders to increase as fear of stepping out increases due to the Covid-19 outbreak, the focus within the sector has shifted to the last-mile delivery staff.

Top food delivery platforms Zomato and Swiggy, which together deliver an estimated 2.6 million orders every day, have taken multiple measures – from telling consumers to let delivery partners leave the packages at the door to offering insurance and financial support to delivery staff in case they are infected with the virus – to mitigate any negative impact on consumer deliveries.

“You (customers) may request the delivery partners to leave packages by the door (in case of online payment), if you are feeling unwell or prefer so,” Swiggy said in an advisory issued to customers.

The Bengaluru-headquartered firm said it is taking proactive measures to help minimise the chances of spread of the coronavirus, and that it is training its delivery staff in best practices for respiratory hygiene, proper and frequent hand washing and identification of associated symptoms. “To ensure financial safety, we are committed to supporting them (delivery partners) financially, providing then free medical consultation and financial support in case any of them shows symptoms,” it said. It has asked consumers to raise complaints, if any, through the Swiggy app.

Zomato said it working on plans for insurance cover for its delivery staff. “We are currently exploring compensation with our insurance partners, in case anyone from our delivery fleet is infected with Covid-19,” a company spokesperson said.

Zomato, which had acquired Uber Eats in an all-stock deal in January this year, said its delivery partners are presently covered with health and life insurance in partnership with Acko and Religare.

The development comes even as business at dine-in restaurants and malls has fallen 20-40% over the past two days with more Covid-19 cases being reported from different parts of the country.

“There is a fear,” said Kishore Biyani, chief executive of top retailer Future Group. “It has accelerated more in the last two days, but it is not as it is being made out to be. It is too early to comment on sales.”

The Delhi government on Thursday ordered closure of all cinema halls in the city-state till March 31. Schools and colleges where exams are not being held will also remain closed. The Rashtrapati Bhavan has also been closed for public till further notice.

Kerala and Jammu & Kashmir, too, have shut cinema halls and primary schools till the month-end as a precautionary measure even as the total of number coronavirus cases in the country surged to 76 on Thursday. India had cancelled all tourist visas on Wednesday.

Trade officials and executives at top malls said footfalls have been down 20-25% in the last two weeks.

Source:- Economic Times

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