Workers in the home delivery sector in Saudi Arabia have revealed an increase in food orders by 40 percent.
This was recorded during the first two days after government authorities announced the precautionary measures that adhere to relevant international standards and requirements to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Municipalities in the Kingdom’s various regions imposed a ban on eating and drinking inside restaurants. This ban excludes drive-through orders and home delivery.
Workers in some e-applications told Asharq al-Awsat that delivery orders have increased by a rate ranging between 30 and 40 percent.
This growing demand required restaurants and delivery companies to add more working hours in light of their commitment to the authorities’ directives and precautionary measures.
According to a restaurant manager in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, the restaurant has canceled dining in, in compliance with the requirements and recent government directives to avoid crowds.
Qais Abdullah, a Sudanese resident who works in a food delivery company in the Kingdom, said employees have received orders to comply with the requirements imposed by government authorities to avoid the virus getting spread among workers.
Yet, he affirmed that the number of orders has leaped, which led the company to increase their working hours.
Abdullah explained that all workers are required to wear masks and gloves, and their body temperature is taken regularly during the day.
If the driver’s body temperature exceeds 38 °C, the company contacts relevant authorities to take the necessary procedures and carry out further blood tests to report his health status, he explained.
Delivery man Hathifa Ibrahim told Asharq Al-Awsat drivers are not allowed to enter the restaurant, adding that customers pay the bills online to avoid any contact.
