Delivering the UK coronavirus epidemic?

You may have heard that the Coronavirus is taking the UK by storm, devistatingly turning its victims into toilet roll zombies. As tensions rise we are likely to see more home deliveries taking place as consumers avoid physical retail stores to self isolate, but what procedures are in place to minimise risk to delivery drivers and consumers? Without confidence that drivers won’t become sick or spread the virus to consumers there could be a stall in logistics and sales.

With GOV.UK telling self isolating individuals to get delivery services to run errands for them due to Coronavirus, shopping online seems fairly reasonable. Less people will be shopping in physical stores and some online companies are very keen to deliver to self-isolating customers, but is the virus still a risk if home deliveries rise and delivery drivers start knocking on the doors of multiple isolated households in a single day?

“ask friends, family members or delivery services to carry out errands for you – such as getting groceries, medications or other shopping”
– GOV.UK

Risks:

Signature requirements:
Handheld signature devices will be a potential risk where used multiple times a day. Some delivery services have suspended the use of the devices where customers have informed retailers that they are self-isolating but it is clearly ineffective where poorly publicised. We’re also very much behind some EU countries who ask customers to sign online when items are delivered.

Entering the home:
Delivery drivers entering the homes of those who are self isolating could become a concern. Waitrose ask self-isolating customers to tell them where they want there packages delivered. Having deliveries left at drop off points help minimise transmission risk.

Post Office drop off:
Merchants will probably favour parcel collection options over waiting in line at Post offices. Drop off and pick up points could come in handy in also minimising transmission risk.

Hermes, the consumer delivery specialist are doing their part by having a £1 million pound fund available for its self-employed couriers, to help support them if they need to self-isolate as a result of the coronavirus. They have also pledged to support them in finding someone to deliver on their behalf if they do not have a substitute and guarantee that their rounds. So fear not Merchants, if you’re using Hermes sick delivery drivers shouldn’t be a problem.. unless we all get sick.