An employee at Sungiven Foods hands out packed food as the restaurant has stopped dine-in services but offers take-away or delivery services. [Photo/xmnn.cn]

Xiamen in Fujian province has been implementing strict COVID-19 control and prevention measures in its catering industry in response to the latest outbreaks in the city.

Under the guidance of the municipal bureau of commerce and the catering industry association, all of the restaurants and canteens across the city have followed the requirements to offer take-away or food delivery services only.

"Dine-in service has stopped, but services like food delivery haven't," said a delivery driver.

Food delivery drivers carry out contactless delivery by placing the ordered food in the designated area. The number of food delivery orders has increased slightly compared to the pre-epidemic period, the delivery driver added.

Many restaurants, canteens, and milk tea shops have offered online ordering and delivery services so that Xiamen residents can enjoy food without going out due to the COVID-19 epidemic control and prevention requirements.

In addition, the municipal bureau of commerce recently launched "mobile canteens", which offers online food delivery services to companies or groups.

A total of 25 qualified dining suppliers have been listed as "mobile canteens" options, with a total daily delivery capacity of 364,000 meals.

The "mobile canteens" not only ensures safe and orderly dining, but also encourages catering companies to adjust business strategies and expand more business channels during epidemic control periods, said a manager from Seashine Nutrition Meal.