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The critical change to online Coles and Woolworths orders

Woolworths and Coles have changed how shoppers order groceries online in a bid to protect staff against coronavirus.

Supermarkets across the country have been inundated with shoppers stocking up on items in case they have to go into isolation for 14 days.

And now our major supermarkets are ensuring their staff are protected from anyone in self-isolation when delivering groceries.

A Woolies spokesperson told Yahoo News Australia the supermarket now has a “dedicated delivery option” and customers can choose for the delivery to be left “unattended”.

It means customers who feel unwell or are in self-isolation have no need to come in contact with delivery drivers . Woolworths explained it’s all in the interests of driver safety and allows them to leave the order unattended.

A woman walks past a Coles delivery truck.
Coles will now ask customers if they're feeling unwell before sending off online orders. Source: AAP (file pic)

"Our transport partners have also been issuing regular advisories to all delivery drivers on hygiene protocols and workplace safety,” the spokesperson said.

"We’ll continue to monitor and respond to the latest public health advice with all our operations."

Coles has also updated how customers purchase their groceries online. A spokesperson for the supermarket said Coles Online’s demand has increased in the past fortnight with many customers using home delivery and Click & Collect services.

They added the supermarket takes the wellbeing of customers and staff seriously and is continuing to monitor COVID-19 “very closely”.

“We have opened additional delivery windows and have extra delivery vans on the roads to meet the customer demand,” the spokesperson said.

A person holds a Woolworths reusable shopping bag.
Woolies will ask customers if they're feeling unwell or in self-isolation. Source: AAP (file pic)

“We are being guided by the advice issued by the Australian Government and have introduced some precautionary measures for our Coles Online Customer Service Agents (CSAs).

“Customers are required to notify Coles that they are self-quarantined by ticking the relevant box and/or by leaving a comment before finalising their online order. They will then receive an ‘unattended delivery’ where the CSA leaves their groceries at their front door, removing the need for any face-to-face interaction.”

The spokesperson said every Coles Online van has been equipped with hand sanitiser.

With more coronavirus cases being detected across Australia, more people are choosing to self isolate in their homes.

On Sunday afternoon, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced from Monday anyone entering Australia from overseas would need 14 days of self-isolation.

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