Zomato makes Aarogya Setu app mandatory for delivery partners

Online food delivery platform and restaurant aggregator Zomato on Wednesday has made the Aarogya Setu app mandatory for its delivery partners.

The app uses bluetooth technology and GPS  (global position system) generated information to alert citizens about their proximity to Covid-19 infected persons. It also helps users self-assess their risk of being infected with the coronavirus. 

Read: All about the Aarogya Setu App and whether it actually works. And, an update to the app. 

Zomato delivery partners can only log in to their delivery partner app if their phone has the Aarogya Setu app installed, and is running as a background process on their phone.

"Today, we’ve started mandating each of our delivery partners to install and use the Aarogya Setu App. The idea is to keep individuals, as well as the authorities, informed in case our delivery partners have crossed paths with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus – to prevent further spread," Deepinder Goyal, founder and CEO, Zomato tweeted.

Every day brings with it new challenges and new solutions. It's not the time to quit, call victory, or even think of what the future holds in store for us. The best thing to do is put one step ahead of the other, and do whatever it takes to make the world a little better. [1/n]

— Deepinder Goyal (@deepigoyal) April 22, 2020

"In case our delivery partner comes in contact with an infected person or visits a hotspot area, authorities will know at the earliest. This will instantly enable us to isolate the delivery partner, and support him/her for quarantine and treatment,” he added.

Gurugram-based Zomato recently launched grocery delivery services across Delhi, Gurugram, parts of Kerala and Punjab. The platform was in discussions to launch grocery delivery as an essential service post the Covid-19 related lockdown.

Earlier this month,  Zomato raised around $5 million (Rs 38.20 crore) from Pacific Horizon Investment Trust, a fund managed by British investment management firm Baillie Gifford.

With this funding, the company’s valuation stands at $3.25 billion, just a little lower than its rival Swiggy at $3.6 billion.