Shop online to prevent spread of coronavirus

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry held a meeting with the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI), Al Rafd Fund, Public Authority for the Development of Small and Medium Enterprises (Riyada), a number of government and private firms which supply and produce food items, as well as home delivery companies to discuss home delivery applications.

The meeting was aimed at launching an initiative in Arabic with hashtag #Tasawwuq_min_baitik (shop from your home) on social media platform Twitter by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in cooperation with various concerned authorities.

This initiative was launched following certain measures taken by the Supreme Committee in charge of formulating mechanisms to deal with the situations arising due to the spread of COVID-19.

Owners of a number of home delivery companies were of the view that there was a social awareness that this service helped in prevention of coronavirus from spreading. They said that the services of home delivery companies have increased by 80 per cent. They expect that soon there would be a 100 per cent rise in orders.

Faisal al Subhi, a founding partner in the Mandoob company, said: “Since the company started working, it has successfully delivered more than 120,000 orders in various parts of the Sultanate. We have entered into many strategic agreements for delivery service with many government and private organizations. We have more than 1,000 small and medium-sized enterprises working with us as in logistics.

Muznah Bint Adeem al Sudairiya, a community delivery analyst at Market X, said: “The company works in the field of all types of home delivery. The company has increased the operating capacity of both employees and different means of transportation. The company continues to educate workers in home delivery services to adhere to health standards while carrying out their services. It is mandatory for the delivery personnel to wear gloves, masks, avoid smoking and abide by other health terms and conditions. They also have to make sure that the food items are delivered as quickly as possible to those who have ordered them to maintain its highest level of quality, she said.

Ziyana Bint Amir al Rahbiyeh, an employee of Akeed Home Delivery Company, said:” Recently when the precautionary measures were taken to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the company had seen that more people used the home delivery services. Our company has seen a growth of 75 per cent in our home delivery services.”

Adil al Rabkhi of itrans application said: “The application was officially announced in 2019, and we provide two services: purchasing and delivering products to homes, and door-to-door delivery. We have more than 520 people who deliver orders in various governorates of the Sultanate. Our role, at the present time, is to help people by delivering what they require and order so that they remain safe. We have launched a drive with the company for the safety of the home delivery personnel and clients. We require them to wear masks, gloves and use sterilizers before and after delivering orders.”

Ammar bin Ali Al-maskari from the Jeeb application, said: “The application works in the area of home delivery of meals from restaurants, foodstuffs from various stores and bakeries as well as household products. In the current circumstances, we are delivering everything ordered by the consumers. The company has taken various measures to ensure safety of all sides, including the person who is delivering the ordered item to the person who is receiving and its clients. It urges them to use necessary health tools, maintain safe distance while receiving the items and ensure safety of food items. He said that during the meeting, the company entered into partnerships with various governmental and private institutions.

Mona Al Mawaliya from Azouz application said: “Our focus is to currently serve small and medium enterprises and home projects. We are delivering various food products of these enterprises to their customers. We are also promoting their products. Currently, there are efforts underway to intensify work to ensure that the essential items are delivered to consumers without the hassle of leaving their homes for their safety. “