직장인 '배달 도시락 점심' 급속 확산...연결 스타트업도 등장
The South Korean government's Level 2-point-5 social distancing measures mean office workers are discouraged from going out for lunch.
This is leading more and more workers to get their lunches delivered straight to their desks.
Bae Eun-ji has this report.
Waiting in line for a seat at the restaurant has been replaced by ordering lunch deliveries and getting take-outs.
At this restaurant that only delivers,... the bell signaling a delivery order has been made doesn't stop ringing.
As soon as the food is all packed and ready to go, the delivery person is on his way to a nearby office.
The delivery is made by a startup company that arranges the service between restaurants and customers through a mobile app.
"With the COVID-19 outbreak, the amount of delivery orders in Gangnam-gu District has jumped 27 percent."
Office workers say this way of having lunch is actually more convenient.
"I have been eating delivery food in the office because of the coronavirus, and it's much better because there is a variety of menus to choose from."
Convenience stores are also seeing more sales of mass-produced lunch boxes.
"Sales of lunch boxes rose by 30-percent, and consumers can choose from a wide range of products."
Convenience stores are planning to increase the production of lunch boxes that are easy to take out.
Industry watchers say this trend of workers grabbing takeouts or getting food delivered will last for a while with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bae Eun-ji, Arirang News.
