Amid rising COVID-19 cases and curbs to restrict movement, especially on weekends in various states, restaurants and eateries are yet again witnessing a jump in demand for online food delivery.
The Delhi government has banned dine-in in the national capital to contain a surge in new infections. Restaurants, however, will be able to offer home delivery and takeaways.
According to multiple restaurateurs, the industry which was previously hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic is staying operational by depending on online delivery as dine-in suffers once again. They anticipate that the growth in online demand will be temporary and that it will return to normal once the restrictions are relaxed.
Restaurant owners, however, caution that if the restrictions last longer than four to six weeks, it is going to be disastrous for the industry.
Ready-to-eat food delivery has emerged as a major category thanks to several user-friendly applications. Early on in the pandemic, lockdowns and physical separation requirements gave this category a huge boost, with delivery becoming a lifeline for many. It is expected to become a permanent fixture in the dining scene in the coming years.
