Yahoo Finance Uber Eats, Deliveroo, Menulog drivers refuse contactless delivery
When coronavirus restrictions started in Australia last month, food delivery services were falling over each other to remind us they would practice "contactless" delivery.
The idea is that the delivery driver would place the food down at the door and walk away before allowing the customer to retrieve it.
So there would be no direct contact and always at least 1.5 metres between driver and customer.
But the reality has been somewhat different.
Yahoo Finance can reveal none of the orders it made through the three most popular delivery services in Australia – Uber Eats, Deliveroo and Menulog – saw the driver practise contactless delivery.
In a sample of three orders via Menulog, two orders through Deliveroo and two orders made in Uber Eats, the success rate was a shocking 0 per cent.
All three companies had announced in March that its drivers would implement contactless delivery.
Uber Eats told Yahoo Finance it had revocation powers for any users not adhering to health and safety principles.
"We work closely with public health authorities in each state, and have processes to temporarily remove an individual’s access to the Uber apps if needed," a company spokesperson said.
"We are always working to help keep everyone who uses the Uber platform safe and will continue to share advice from public health authorities with those who use the Uber app.”
A Deliveroo spokesperson told Yahoo Finance that multiple email communications were sent to riders about how to implement contactless delivery.
“We are following up on every instance where we have reports from consumers that riders are not carrying out contact-free delivery. As part of the riders Supplier Agreement, riders must comply with Deliveroo's safety standards, and we take action when safety standards are not met.
"We have made clear that if a rider is found to not be abiding by these important public health measures – via reports from other riders, customers, restaurant staff or local government officials - they will no longer be able to work with Deliveroo.”
A spokesperson for Menulog told Yahoo Finance that “contact-free collection and deliveries is enabled for all orders”.
“Contact-free guidance is regularly provided to all Menulog restaurants, couriers and customers and is available at all times via online information hubs,” said the spokesperson.
“I can assure you that Menulog has taken every single step possible to ensure the safety of our network at this time, which includes following all Government recommendations (including those recommendations on providing PPE).“
The spokesperson did note that on Menulog, some restaurants use their own couriers to deliver the food. ‘Menulog drivers’ themselves are independent contractors.
“In either case, delivery is made by a third party and that third party has been provided direct messaging on contact-free... We take our responsibilities very seriously with regards to the health and safety of our entire network.
“This is an unprecedented situation for us all and we have very quickly and efficiently developed processes and procedures to keep the community safe. We have always been open and transparent about this.”
Conversely, there have been reports from some drivers that the food delivery companies aren't providing enough personal protection equipment – such as masks, gloves and hand sanitisers.
"Deliveroo gave us a $10 refund for buying hand sanitiser, it's a one-off," one driver told the ABC earlier this month.
"I used it up within five days as I'm handwashing every hour with my deliveries."
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