Local food delivery service announces contactless delivery, effective March 18

A food delivery courier walks a flight of stairs carrying a customer's order in an apartment. Contactless delivery allows riders to place food delivery orders at designated spots such as in front of customers' homes or office premises. — Bloomberg

Online food delivery service Foodpanda has announced it will begin contactless delivery service starting tomorrow (March 18) as part of a measure to curb the spread of Covid-19 during the Restriction of Movement Order period.

Contactless delivery allows riders to place food delivery orders at designated spots such as in front of customers' homes or office premise. Riders will have to call or text customers to notify them that their order has arrived through the chat function on the Foodpanda app.

In addition, riders and customers have to maintain a one metre distance during delivery. After picking up the delivery, customers have to verify that they have received their order through the app. The company also encourages customers to switch to a cashless payment method during this period to minimise contact.

"Our rider hubs provide hand sanitiser and masks free of charge to all our riders, who are instructed to wash their hands every two hours and after each time they handle a delivery," said Foodpanda Malaysia managing director Sayantan Das in a press statement.

Meanwhile, Grab Malaysia announced via social media that it will continue operating all its services as usual, including GrabFood delivery, during the Restriction of Movement Order period.

Dahmakan, which only delivers to customers in Klang Valley, also confirmed via Twitter that it will be operating as usual.

Eateries such as food stalls and restaurants can stay open to cater for takeaways and deliveries during the Restriction of Movement Order period scheduled from March 18-31.