Story at a glance
- The fast food restaurant’s parent company says the health and well-being of employees and customers is a top priority.
- The restaurants have also started contactless in-store pickup service at several locations.
- This comes as the coronavirus has left 362 dead and more than 17,000 infected worldwide.
KFC and Pizza Hut have launched a contactless delivery service in China to reduce the risk of person-to-person transmission of the deadly Wuhan-based coronavirus that continues to spread throughout the country.
Customers can select the “contactless delivery” option when placing an order online, and couriers will call to set a delivery location. The courier will then watch from 10 feet away as the customer takes the food.
“The health and wellbeing of our employees and customers is our top priority and the innovative new services will help reduce the risk of person-to-person transmission of the coronavirus and protect our employees and customers,” parent company Yum China said in a statement to Business Insider.
Couriers are required to wear masks and disinfect their hands and delivery boxes following each delivery.
The two fast-food giants also kicked off a contactless in-store pickup service at several locations Saturday.
The stores installed pickup racks, and all orders will have takeout packaging to avoid exposing the food to potential viruses.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports person-to-person transmission of the Wuhan coronavirus takes place during close contact, or within about 6 feet, when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
The coronavirus has killed at least 362 people and infected more than 17,000 worldwide. In the U.S., there have been 11 reported cases so far with two person-to-person transmissions.
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