Postmates Adds Non-Contact Delivery Amid Coronavirus Concerns

As the novel coronavirus outbreak continues to spread, companies are taking precautions to prevent any further escalation. Postmates is the latest to act with the introduction of a non-contact delivery option to make the process safer for everyone involved.

The food delivery service announced the new feature in a blog post on their website. With the added option, customers can choose to have their Postmate employee leave deliveries at their door. This way, it’s theoretically safer for both parties as it would be less likely for the virus to infect either person. To use it, all you have to do is order like normal and choose what delivery type you want when prompted.

“We know there are always people who, for health and other reasons, might prefer a non-contact delivery experience and we believe this will provide customers with that option,” Postmates said in the post.

The company follows Instacart in rolling out this type of service after the grocery delivery service added a “leave at my door delivery” option, according to CNN Business. FreshDirect, another grocery delivery service, took a different route. The company alerts customers on their website that its “delivery personnel will bring your order up to your door, but cannot enter your home at this time.”

Postmates’ non-contact option is only that: an option. It’s not mandatory at this time, so customers can still meet their delivery person at the door or curbside if they prefer to do so.