Yahoo Finance Coronavirus: Morrisons rolls out SOS food delivery service for self-isolating students
Morrisons (MRW.L) is launching an SOS “Serve our Students” food delivery service for thousands of young people who are self-isolating in university halls and campuses across the UK.
The delivery service, known as “Doorstep Delivery,” will be rolled out at the Birley and Cambridge Halls at Manchester Metropolitan University and will be extended to other universities.
Around 1,500 students have been asked to self-isolate at Manchester Metropolitan University which has been affected by COVID-19 measures.
Morrisons are offering students at affected campuses free next-day delivery for groceries that they can order via a special email address set up for the service.
If the scheme is successful, students will be able to place their order by 2pm for delivery that evening.
A range of meal boxes are available through the scheme — “Meat Essentials, Vegetarian Essentials, Easy Meals for the Week and Big Night In.”
READ MORE: Tesco pledges to boost sales of plant-based meat alternatives by 300%
Students can also use the Morrisons on Amazon service which includes free same-day delivery and the Morrisons service on Deliveroo, which allows people to order from over 200 grocery items with delivery in as little as under 30 minutes, according to the supermarket.
David Potts, Morrisons chief executive, said: “Students have asked for our help and that’s why we are making sure they can safely access affordable food at this very difficult time. We’re playing our full part in feeding the nation so that no one is left behind.”
Morrisons first launched the Doorstep Delivery service in April 2020, during the coronavirus lockdown to help vulnerable and elderly people get the groceries they need.
The service has since been expanded so anyone who is self-isolating can use the make use of it at a charge of £4.50 — the service is still free for elderly customers and they are also able to order by phone.
Iceland has also announced new measures to support students affected by lockdown restrictions. The frozen food retailer will offer students an online discount as well as offering priority delivery slots for anyone who signs up with a university email address.
Richard Walker, managing director at Iceland Foods, said: “With self-isolation in place across university campuses, we want to make it as easy as possible for students to complete their weekly shop and ensure their freezers and cupboards are stocked. Our exclusive discount and priority delivery slots will go some way to help our student customers in their time of need.”
