Yum China, which operates Chinese KFC and Pizza Hut networks, has launched a contactless food-delivery service.
The move is a response to concerns about transmission of coronavirus between customers and delivery staff – but will also give confidence to consumers who are increasingly buying from food-delivery services to avoid public contact in supermarkets, shopping centers, and restaurants.
“The health and wellbeing of our employees and customers is our top priority,” said the firm in a written statement to Business Insider, “and the innovative new services will help reduce the risk of person-to-person transmission of the coronavirus and protect our employees and customers”.
Customers who elect for the contactless service will be instructed to remain at least 10 feet from the masked delivery personnel, who will remove the boxed food from its thermal pouch and place it on an agreed pick-up surface only after visually confirming the receiving party.
Delivery staff is expected to disinfect their hands before and after every transaction.
Food may also be picked up in-store in hygienically sealed packages.