Establishment of drive-thru services in supermarkets amid pandemic proposed

MANILA, Philippines — A lawmaker is proposing the establishment of drive-thru services in all supermarket chains as the country continues to grapple with the coronavirus pandemic.

ACT-CIS Partlylist Rep. Niña Taduran on Wednesday said that even though social distancing is practiced in lines in supermarkets, there remains the threat of contracting the virus due to the amount of time spent waiting in line.

Taduran said that offering such services could minimize the public’s exposure to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

“Speaking not as a lawmaker but as a homemaker who has the task of making regular grocery runs, I sympathize with the people standing in line for their turn to enter the supermarket,” Taduran said in a statement.

In her proposal, Taduran said that supermarket owners can set up online avenues where shoppers can place their orders and later pick them up through the drive-thru area provided by the supermarket.

Those without vehicles, meanwhile, can also place their orders online ahead of time and then pick up their orders by lining up inside the grocery.

Their waiting time, however, will be “significantly reduced” as they simply have to pick up their packed order, said Taduran.

“Tanggapin na natin na ganito na ang ‘new normal’ (Let us accept that this is the new normal) and the only thing we can do to save ourselves from COVID is to adapt,” Taduran said.

The lawmaker said she heard about the plan of Philippine National Police (PNP) Deputy Chief for Administration PLt. Gen. Camilo Pancratius Cascolan to establish drive-thru services for all frontline services of the PNP, like gun registration and vehicle clearances.

“Taking the cue from the PNP,  I thought it was a good idea to implement the same for daily essentials like grocery shopping as well,” Taduran said.

The lawmaker said her proposal need not be legislated but only requires the cooperation of supermarket owners.

Further, Taduran said that the move could also help contribute to the economy because “if you make it easier for people to purchase products, it will definitely spur consumption, as evidenced by the growth of online retailers.”

JE