Delivery services rules eased after issues raised
A driver accepts a deliver in Toul Tom Poung district at the onset of the pandemic last year. KT/Husain Haider
As the capital enters its fifth day of lockdown, Phnom Penh Municipal Hall has agreed to work with online food and delivery organisations to ensure services continue during lockdowns.
Nham24 founder Chann Borima confirmed that the first two days of lockdowns had affected business operations and delivery services for every online delivery company operating in the capital. Some drivers had been turned back at checkpoints and forced to find alternative routes.
“The online delivery community submitted a joint letter to city hall asking for help and on Saturday evening, new adjusted regulations were introduced to ensure that people can continue using our services,” Borima told Khmer Times.
He said that with the new regulations, users will be able to order groceries and food deliveries with confidence that they will arrive.
Prior to the regulations being updated, Sokim Heng, co-founder of upscale bistro Bite Lab said he was forced to face closing until conditions eased.
Heng said that even with four delivery personnel and his partnering with popular delivery apps including FoodPanda, Bloc and Nham24, operating his business under conditions prior to the regulations update was impossible.
“Our main challenge is how to sustain our business and comply with guidelines in combating the pandemic. This whole situation is occurring after people ignored the rules, ignored quarantine and travelled in the first place,” Heng stressed.
Singapore-based Grab has also had to accommodate the new restrictions. The firm announced after lockdowns were implemented that it would suspend its ride-hailing service to focus on deliveries.
Grab has also restricted its services to central Phnom Penh and is only delivering within a 10-kilometre radius of the user. Even then, the company is only promising delivery times of between two and four hours after orders are placed. Khmer Times
