DTI sees boom for food delivery services amid COVID-19 quarantine in Luzon

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is expecting an upswing for food delivery services while Luzon is under an enhanced community quarantine to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Food preparation and delivery services are allowed to open during the March 17 to April 13 quarantine period, according to the guidelines released by Malacañang on Monday.

“Nabanggit din po ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte kahapon ‘yun na tulungan natin ang maliliit na negosyante, ‘yang may mga karinderya at ‘yung mga magdadala ng pagkain,” DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez said in a televised briefing on Tuesday.

“Dahil bawal na ‘yung dine-in ang ini-encourage natin ay at least may food preparation at delivery…so ‘yun ang mga opportunities ngayon na nakita natin na mas lalakas pa.”

Lopez said the food should reach customers without any physical contact with the delivery staff as a precautionary measure against the spread of the deadly virus.

“No contact system contact ho ‘yun kaya ‘yun ang ating ini-encourage,” he said.

The Philippines had 142 confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of Monday night, and 12 with deaths from the respiratory illness, according to the Department of Health.

The DOH said on Tuesday that there is now a sustained community transmission of the disease. —NB, GMA News