The Kathmandu District Administration Office has developed a standard for online home delivery and takeaway services of the restaurants and hotels which includes negative coronavirus infection tests for the delivery people.

“Since the essential services would remain open till 11 am throughout Kathmandu Valley we have arranged for online delivery services from 1 pm to 7 pm,” said Janak Bhatta, who led a five-member study team to come up with recommendations to allow online deliveries.

According to Bhatta, other requirements include that the businesses for the online home delivery must be registered, all the details of the delivery people and their vehicles must be presented to the respective district administration offices, details of their customers—name, phone numbers and their proper address—must be presented if asked.

On August 30, the district administration office of Kathmandu had formed a five-member study team led by Assistant Chief District Officer Janak Bhatta with the representatives of the Health Ministry, Department of Commerce, Supplies and Consumer Protection Management, Nepal Police and Traffic Police.

With the new provision in place, hotels and restaurants can now sell their packed food products through home delivery.

The online home delivery services were opened citing international practice and widespread criticism from different sections of the society, according to authorities.

“Today we submitted our report to the chief district officer and he issued the standard right away,” said Bhatta. “As per the prohibition order extended on Wednesday, people in the online home delivery and take away businesses can now resume their services.”

In the separate notices issued by all three chief district officers of the Kathmandu Valley on Wednesday, they had stated that online home delivery and take away services could be resumed once the standard was in place.

The quality and other protocols of the delivery service will be monitored by the Department of Commerce and the district administration offices regularly, with or without notice.

On Wednesday and Thursday last week, the police rounded up several delivery people after Chief District Officer of Kathmandu Janak Raj Dahal said they were not allowed to operate when the prohibition orders were in place. Following the curb on their operations, the companies had urged him to allow their business as they were ready to follow all necessary health protocols.

But Dahal refused, saying that they did not have proper standards and monitoring mechanisms.

The standard will also be implemented in Lalitpur and Bhaktapur districts with or without revisions.

“We have sent its copy to both districts. They can implement the same or with some revisions if necessary,” said Bhatta.