Postmates and Instacart launch features that offer non-contact delivery amid coronavirus outbreak 

Postmates and Instacart launch features that offer non-contact delivery amid coronavirus outbreak

  • Postmates and Instacart are offering  non-contact deliveries
  • The features are due to coronavirus spreading from person-to-person  contact
  • Postmate lets users choose to have food orders left at the door 
  • Instacart is allowing the same option for grocery deliveries 

Postmates and Instacart are offering non-contact deliveries amid fears of the coronavirus that is spreading mainly from person-to-person.

Customers using the food deliver app now have the option to have orders left at the door, as well as meeting the driver out front or curbside.

Instacart has rolled out a similar feature called ‘Leave at My Door Delivery’, which allows consumers to request a designated location for their grocery deliver, such as a front porch or apartment lobby in order to avoid in-person contact.

The features come as rideshare and delivery apps are developing new ways to keep both consumers and workers safe since these services require contact with other people – either handing over food or getting into a vehicle.

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Postmates and Instacart are offering non-contact deliveries amid fears of the coronavirus that is spreading mainly from person-to-person. Customers using the food deliver app now have the option to have orders left at the door, as well as meeting the driver out front or curbside

Postmates and Instacart joined forces in 2018 to help speed up grocery deliveries during peak hours.

The firms found that Instacart costumers were asking for their deliveries mid-morning and mid-afternoon – parts of the day when traffic and grocery stores can be overwhelming.

However, with the help of Postmates 200,000 plus drivers, the duo has been able to handle the increase.

Now, both firms have rolled out features to help stop the spread of coronavirus by allowing for non-contact deliveries.

, Instcart customers can choose to to 'Leave at My Door Delivery' as part of their delivery options at checkout, and can also provide more specific delivery instructions like a gate code or apartment number. A real-time photo will alert customers when their groceries are at their doorstep

, Instcart customers can choose to to ‘Leave at My Door Delivery’ as part of their delivery options at checkout, and can also provide more specific delivery instructions like a gate code or apartment number. A real-time photo will alert customers when their groceries are at their doorstep

When ordering from your favorite restaurant in Postmates, users select desired items as usual and then select ‘Leave order at my door’ in ‘DropOff Options’.

‘Community health and safety is paramount at Postmates, and we have shared precautionary CDC guidance with our Postmates; customers have an option to designate the drop-off of item without contact; and will continue to encourage employees, merchants and consumers to follow preventative measures,’ Postmate told Thrillist in a statement.

‘While we are operating with business as usual, we are tracking the situation closely and will help provide the resources necessary to mitigate increased risks.’

Over the past few months, Instacart has been testing its ‘Leave at My Door’ feature with a small group of customers in the US and Canada.

Over the past few months, Instacart has been testing its 'Leave at My Door' feature with a small group of customers in the US and Canada

Over the past few months, Instacart has been testing its ‘Leave at My Door’ feature with a small group of customers in the US and Canada

The option was initially designed to provide more flexibility for those who are unable to be home for a delivery.

However, the option is ideal as the Center for Disease Control and Prevention has warned that the coronavirus can be transmitted between people when an infected person, standing within 6 feet of someone else, coughs or sneezes.

Now, Instcart customers can choose to to ‘Leave at My Door Delivery’ as part of their delivery options at checkout, and can also provide more specific delivery instructions like a gate code or apartment number.

A real-time photo will alert customers when their groceries are at their doorstep.

Data shows that Americans are opting in for online delivery services for their food.

MarketWatch reveals that in the past 30 days, 21 percent of US consumers ordered perishable, edible groceries online, which is up from 18 percent at the same point last year.