‘Declare food delivery as emergency service’

Four food and groceries delivery services in a letter today sought permission to keep their operations open round the clock during the lockdown. They also demanded an announcement to keep food and grocery delivery services under the purview of emergency service.

Four organisations -- Pathao Limited, Foodpanda Bangladesh Limited, Shohoz Limited and Daraz Bangladesh Limited -- jointly sent a letter to the Cabinet secretary in this regard.

They also demanded that officials and employees involved in the services be declared as "frontliners" during this coronavirus pandemic and asked the concerned authorities not to bar them during their duties round the clock.

Seeking cash incentives for this sector, the letter also asked the government to make hotels, restaurants and delivery services free from taxes and VAT considering the tough times due to the coronavirus pandemic.

They also sought cash incentives for employees who have become unemployed due to the lockdown or general holiday.