Deliveroo to launch contactless delivery in Asia amid Covid-19 outbreak

Online food delivery company Deliveroo today announced that it will roll out a new feature in Asia to enable customers and riders to opt for a contact-free delivery service.

Photo credit: Deliveroo

Starting tomorrow, Deliveroo customers will be able to choose contact-free delivery at check out from the company’s app or website. Riders will be able to see when a customer has selected this option in the order’s delivery notes and then follow a process to ensure there is no contact when the food is delivered, the company’s announcement said.

Deliveroo said riders will place the thermal bag open on the ground outside the customer’s door, step back at least one meter, and wait for the customer to collect the food before the order can be completed.

Likewise, riders may opt for contactless orders or request to cancel an order without penalty if they feel an area is at high risk.

Launched in 2013, the London-based platform operates in over 500 towns and cities across 13 markets, including Australia, Belgium, France, Hong Kong, Italy, Ireland, the Netherlands, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan, the UAE, Kuwait, and the UK.

Other players in the space have also launched contactless delivery services to cope with the Covid-19 outbreak. Earlier this year, China’s Meituan Dianping enabled its users to have their food delivered without having to interact with the courier.

Swiggy and Zomato, two foodtech unicorns based in India, have started allowing consumers to ask delivery partners to leave their orders at their doorstep as well.

Regional ride-hailing giant Grab has also implemented contactless delivery in Singapore, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Aside from dropping off orders outside its customers’ doors or at specific locations, the company is also encouraging its users to use cashless payment to minimize contact between its partners and consumers.