Food and beverage

Takeaways have been popular during the coronavirus lockdown. Around 3,000 more takeaways have joined platform Just Eat since lockdown began. Expenditure on takeaways in the UK has grown by 15 percent since 2015. But is it safe to order takeaways during lockdown?

Demand for takeaways has skyrocketed during the coronavirus pandemic.

According to research, Britain’s takeaway industry was worth £4.2 billion in February 2018, up from £2.4bn 10 years before.

Data from Kantar published in April found deliveries surged in the week before lockdown, up 57 percent year on year.

The data showed an initial slump in deliveries once the lockdown was implemented, partly due to fears around food carrying the virus.

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Takeaway: Is it safe to order takeaways right now? (Image: GETTY)

Takeaway: The takeaway industry in the UK is worth billions (Image: GETTY)

Takeaway: There is some risk of transmission during delivery (Image: GETTY)

The Government guidance regarding takeaway food reads: “Where possible you should place your order by telephone, app or online and get a designated time for collection.

“If you are collecting your food in person from a takeaway or restaurant which offers a pick-up service, you should adhere to the social distancing rules set out by the food business.

“This may include having staggered collection times and using a queue management system to maintain the two-metre separation.

“It is safe to have takeaway food delivered if the business you order from follows the Government’s safety guidance.

“Staff preparing your food should regularly wash their hands and maintain good hygiene practices in food preparation and handling areas.

“Government advice on social distancing applies to those delivering food. You should minimise the chance of coronavirus spreading by maintaining a distance of two metres when the food is delivered.”

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Takeaway: Professor Keevil said there is ‘absolutely no danger at all’ to food which is heated and cooked (Image: GETTY)

Restaurants offering takeaways are advised to practice appropriate safety measures.

Regarding packaging, Professor Keevil added: “If those preparing your food are following all the guidance for good food hygiene, that should be sufficient.”

His suggestion for those particularly concerned about packaging is to dispose of packaging safely and to avoid unnecessary contact with it, making sure to wash your hands immediately afterwards.

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What safety precautions have takeaway platforms taken?

Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just Eat have announced all deliveries in the UK would be contact-free.

This means customers will collect their delivery from outside their door with the delivery driver waiting at a two-metre distance for the customer to collect it.

In addition, the takeaway platforms are taking steps to minimise the spread of COVID-19 such as drivers weaning gloves and often masks and contact-free payment methods being advised.

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McDonalds delivery: How to get free delivery in the UK (Image: GETTY)

Just Eat are offering free delivery on McDonald’s in a new deal. The saving can be had up until 31 March and is unlimited, so Britons can order McDonald’s as many times as they like with delivery totally free.

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McDonalds delivery: The saving can be had up until 31 March and is unlimited (Image: GETTY)

Londoners will also be able to get their hands on Just Eat’s free delivery on a number of other brands.

This includes Island Poke, Coco di Mama, Bird, Itsu, Black Sheep Coffee and Comptoir Libanese.

Again, free delivery applies for these establishments on orders over £5.

Andrew Kenny, UK Managing Director at Just Eat said; “We know the last few months have been tough for our customers, so Just Eat is delighted to be able to deliver some extra joy by partnering with some of their favourite restaurants to offer fantastic delivery discounts for the next two months, making us the best value delivery service in the market”.

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McDonald’s is reopening restuarants for walk-in.

The chain made the decision to close the restaurants for dine-in and takeaways last month.

However, with new safety measures in place McDonald’s sotres are reopening.

McDonald’s hopes to open all branches in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland from February 22 onwards.

McDonalds delivery: Only those living across London can enjoy the deal (Image: JUST EAT)

Paul Pomroy, McDonald’s boss for UK and Ireland, said: “A month ago we made the voluntary decision to temporarily close walk-in takeaway while we reviewed our safety measures to ensure they reflect the evolving nature of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Working closely with third party safety expert NSF International, we identified a small number of changes to further enhance our procedures, and we are currently in the process of rolling these out to restaurants.”

He said: “The wellbeing of our people, as well as our suppliers, couriers and our customers remains our top priority, and we are confident the new processes in place will further enhance our already robust safety measures.”

The McDonald’s menu will welcome six new items, some old favourites making a return and one completely new dish.

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Coronavirus: The R rates across the UK (Image: EXPRESS.CO.UK)

Six new food items will be hitting the menu from February 10.

The fast food chain said the new meals will be available for six weeks until March 23.

The Homestyle Crispy Chicken, Grand Big Mac, Grand Big Mac with Bacon, Mozzarella Dippers, McFlurry Flake and the McFlurry Raspberry Flake will also be available for McDonald’s fans.

The Homestyle Crispy Chicken is the item menu on the menu, with the others making a return after popular demand.

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Greggs has returned to the high street today after a long process trialling new social distancing measures in its stores. The bakery chain initially planned to reopen earlier on in lockdown for takeaway only but soon made a U-turn over safety fears. Customers have been delighted that the makers of the famous vegan sausage roll are back – but many have been left angry by the new menu.

Greggs is reopening with a limited menu, which has disappointed some (Image: Getty)

Greggs customers have shared their anger at missing menu items (Image: Getty)

Despite a still impressive range of sandwiches, savoury snacks and sweet treats, Greggs customers have been quick to take to social media to question why one of the most popular snacks is off the list.

One user posted: “I understand this is a difficult time for all, but I’ve waited 3 long months for a corned beef pasty & a pack of 3 egg custards, to hear that they are not going to be on the menu!”

Others agreed that they were gutted to be missing out on the corned beef pasties.

“Absolutely heartbroken. Corned beef pasties are the only thing that can save me,” wrote another.

Another customer looked set to start a campaign to bring it back, posting: “I’ve gone on my phone this morning in a wonderful mood only to then click on your menu to find out that the corned beef pasty is nowhere to be seen? Is there any reason for this? I’m quite frankly upset and disappointed. #bringbackcornedbeef.”

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However, the customers didn’t get the answers they wanted when Greggs replied on social media.

The company wrote: “We’re sorry, at the moment our Corned Beef Bakes aren’t part of our limited menu.”

The pasties weren’t the only products that seemed to be missing, with others yearning for iced doughnuts and Belgian buns.

However, the limited menu does include a range of doughnuts, cookies, Yum Yums and even gluten-free brownies.

The new menu includes savoury and sweet items (Image: Greggs)

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Greggs has reopened 800 stores (Image: Getty)

The full list of the 800 Greggs stores reopening from today can be found online here .

Revealing the new rules on its website with a special page dedicated to the latest coronavirus measures, Greggs wrote: “As a national retailer, we’re keen to play our part in getting the nation back up and running again and serving the communities in which we operate. We continue to follow Government guidelines and will only operate in a way that is safe to do so for both colleagues and customers.”

Roger Whiteside, Greggs Chief Executive commented on the reopening plans: “Over the past month, we have carried out robust trials using our new operational and social distancing measures and they have progressed well.

“This has allowed us to move to our next re-opening phase with just over 800 of our shops welcoming customers back this week.”

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Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced the arrival of the Eat Out to Help Out scheme earlier this year. Already hungry diners have been out and about, sampling the best of Britain’s reopened restaurant scene after lockdown measures began to ease. And although the scheme can save customers a lot of money, the scheme is not without its rules.

What is Eat Out to Help Out?

Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced the Eat Out to Help Out scheme earlier this year.

The scheme is intended to help the restaurant industry recover after months of closures due to COVID-19.

The promotion allows people to receive a discount of up to 50 percent on food and soft drinks throughout August.

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Just Eat: Is Eat Out to Help Out available on takeaway from Just Eat? (Image: GETTY)

Eat Out to Help Out: The scheme’s discounts do not apply to takeaways (Image: GETTY)

Eat Out to Help Out: The scheme will be active on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday every week until August 31 (Image: GETTY)

The scheme does not apply to alcoholic beverages, but it does apply to food and non-alcoholic drinks.

Menus in restaurants will still display their full price, but when you receive your bill the 50 percent discount will be applied.

It is then the restaurant’s responsibility to claim the remaining money back from the Government.

To the delight of customers, you can use the discount as many times as you want, and there is no minimum spend requirement.

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Eat Out to Help Out: Your local takeaway may have slashed its prices in line with cuts to VAT (Image: GETTY)

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Is Just Eat taking part in Eat Out to Help Out?

Although many businesses who use Just Eat may be taking part in Eat Out to Help Out, discounts from the scheme do not apply to deliveries placed through the service.

However a VAT cut was introduced by Mr Sunak for the hospitality and tourism industry on July 15 until January 12, 2021.

Your local takeaway may have slashed its prices in line with this, but restaurants and takeaways may also keep their prices the same at this time.

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