Crowding by food delivery agents a cause of concern

Crowding by food delivery agents a cause of concern

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:16.05.2021 

Crowding outside restaurants by food delivery agents has become a cause of concern as in many places, the agents wait without any physical distancing and some of them do not wear masks properly increasing the risk of spreading the coronavirus.

With food delivery agents being allowed to function through the day and some coming in touch with customers while delivery, it is pertinent for authorities to issue strict guidelines for them, say residents.

Last year, food delivery agents were allowed to deliver groceries and meat. This year, they have not been delivering groceries, but deliver from meat stalls. “There are several photographs in newspapers and on social media of food delivery agents flouting physical distancing norms outside restaurants. There is a chance of them becoming asymptomatic carriers and infect their friends and family and also their customers too,” said P Gokul, a resident of Velachery.

A food delivery agent acknowledged the crowding at some small restaurants as there are not enough facilities for them to wait, especially during afternoon when it becomes difficult to wait under the sun. “Some restaurants keep water outside. But, we cannot expect the same everywhere and also we get incentives based on good ratings, so we try and deliver as quickly as possible,” he said.

Residents said the civic body should hold a meeting with restaurants to ensure that food delivery agents follow Covid protocols. “We need everybody’s co-operation in fighting the pandemic including the public. The eatery owners should take onus to ensure that such crowding does not happen outside their restaurants. We will instruct our zonal teams to regulate the issue,” said a senior civic body official.

AT RISK