Delivery drivers thrilled to be on the road again

DELIVERY drivers are glad to be back at work.

Aboubaka Souleimain, a delivery driver for Mr D foods, said he had been out of work for over a month since the national lockdown started on 26 March, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“I live with my wife and children and I’m the only one working who is bringing in money and this past month was very difficult for us. I am just glad to be back at work and earning a bit of money again.”

Beginning on 1 May, the national government revised the security level to 4 from 5, which meant restaurants and stores could open for deliveries only.

Soulemain, along with other drivers from other food delivery services, have been working non-stop delivering food to residents around the Berea area.

“It has not been busier than normal for me, it’s just that there are more of us now delivering food,” said Soulemain.

Delivery drivers like Soulemain are independent contractors and are paid according to the number of deliveries they make.

With regulations around social distancing, many delivery drivers said they have changed the way they deliver food.

“It is more impersonal. There are some customers who want you to leave the package on the floor and some want it handed over to them, it is just a matter of finding out what they are comfortable with. Of course, we take every precaution to protect ourselves by wearing gloves and masks,” said another delivery driver.

The majority of fast-food chains announced they will be opening a selected number of their stores while Nando’s still remains undecided over the prospect of opening only for deliveries.

“Opening for delivery only will lose Nando’s and our franchise partners more money than being closed,” said Mike Cathie, CEO of Nando’s South Africa.

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