Millions of Filipinos, especially those in areas under the enhanced community quarantine, are changing their buying behaviors. With the country’s response to stop the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019, retail stores, malls and even restaurants have been closed until further notice.
The ECQ encourages people to do physical distancing and stay at home unless they need to go out to buy food, groceries and other essential items in grocery stores, markets, and pharmacies, among other establishments that are still allowed to be operational.
Eventually, buying online became an easier and more practical way to stay away from the crowd and contribute to stopping the spread of the virus. The solution also led to a growth in the e-commerce industry.
According to a report by Google, Bain & Company and Singapore’s Temasek Holdings, Southeast Asia’s e-commerce industry is the biggest factor for the region’s growth as it has grown from a GMV value of $5.5 billion in 2015 to $38 billion in 2019. Now, the sector is on track to exceed $150 billion by 2025.
Since online shopping is helping both the people and the economy, J&T Express, a leading e-commerce delivery company in Southeast Asia, believes that delivery couriers are “unsung heroes on two wheels” during the pandemic because it would not be possible for food, groceries and other essentials to be delivered to people without them.
Delivery couriers will always ensure that they keep their client’s trust and safety when it comes to their services. The Department of Information and Communications Technology obliged delivery couriers to strictly follow ECQ guidelines such as social distancing and ensure that they are equipped with facemasks, gloves, alcohol and other protective and precautionary equipment.
Despite all the safety actions that the delivery couriers are doing to keep you safe, one can never really know where the package has been before getting into the hands of the delivery courier. Thus, it is best that recipients also do their part in fighting the virus.
According to a new study by MedRxiv, COVID-19 lives for 24 hours on cardboard and 72 hours on plastic and stainless steel, thus giving consumers the option of letting the virus die out first before taking out the package. However, that would only be good news for non-perishable goods.
Whether one chooses to wait for the virus to die or not, he is advised to always wash any surface that the outer packaging touched then throw away the packaging and wash hands.
"Sanitize your package immediately, or if it’s perishable goods, immediately put it in a Tupperware and put it in the refrigerator," the delivery company said.
Delivery couriers are still vulnerable to the virus, despite the safety precautions, so one must keep minimal contact with the courier, as much as possible.
"Always practice social distancing, even in situations such as receiving a package; think of it as maintaining the safety of the courier, as well," it said.
Some delivery couriers offer the option of having contactless delivery, where one doesn't have to see the courier face-to-face and they leave the package at the doorstep or somewhere the customers choose, then the payment would be settled online. If not, one can simply request the courier to have such an option and come to an agreement.
J&T Express offers services with fast deliveries and affordable rates. It also vows to ensure the safety of products with real-time tracking and provide insurance and other safety precautions.
J&T Express is dedicated to helping local online businesses grow by providing quality delivery services. It has more than 400 branches across the Philippines.