Dunkou Economic Development Zone in the Wuhan Economic & Technological Development Zone in novel coronavirus-hit Central China’s Hubei province has taken measures to ensure the daily lives of locals since the outbreak -- including what is known as non-contact group purchases, according to local media reports.
On Feb 7, a resident surnamed Yao who lives in the second phase of the Guanlan Yuyuan, a residential complex which is part of Dunkou, received a pack of vegetables and a pack of fruits at the gate of the community.
“These were purchased by our community's fruit and vegetable purchase group. The vegetables cost 42 yuan ($6.03) in total and the fruit cost 75 yuan. These will be enough for the three people in my family for a week,” Yao said.
During the Spring Festival, nearly 1,100 households in the first and second phases of Guanlan Yuyuan stayed at home.
On Feb 3, some residents reported that the household supplies in their homes were depleted and urgently needed to resupply.
The community’s officials immediately arranged for staff to contact the nearby supermarket and merchants, while calculating the needs for daily supplies.
After several communications, phone appointments and home visits, they finally negotiated with a private vegetable and fruit supermarket close to the community which promised to deliver.
In order to reduce personnel contact and reduce the risk of virus transmission -- while giving residents access to eat fresh fruits and vegetables -- the community quickly established a WeChat group chat for bulk vegetable and fruit buying.
The type, quantity and price of fruit and vegetable packs are released one day in advance to the group chat. Residents can send messages, telling the community staff members what they need, and then make mobile payments.
The community staff members then count up the numbers and make arrangements with the supermarket.
The packs are now being delivered by the supermarket to the gate of the community. Residents can pick up the goods in batches, according an arrangement with staff.
So far, a total of 390 households have joined the WeChat group chat.
Starting on Feb 4, the community has provided three batches of group purchases, catering for more than 600 households and helped delivered 4,200 kg of fruit and vegetables.
