(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Doha: As businesses gradually open to customers, several have adopted measures to prevent the coronavirus (COVID-19) spread while keeping economic activities active. For many restaurants in Qatar, the traditional physical menu cards are now being replaced by digital versions (QR Code menu).
Diners can scan the QR Code menu using their mobile phones to access the restaurant food options. This contact-free measure limits contact between diners and restaurant crews, especially since social distancing has become fundamental in the new normal.
The Qatari government's response to the global pandemic has been hailed for its positive impact and rightly so.
Nevertheless, despite the policies like compulsory wearing of face masks, using the Ehteraz application for contact tracing, and restaurants registering the names and contact details of diners, many people are still wary about dining out and using the QR Code.
'Some customers have some knowledge what to do with the process (scanning the QR Code menu), while others we may need to show them how to use it. We were already considering using the contactless menu before the coronavirus outbreak, so having it now has been part of our plans, said a restaurant manager at Souq Waqif.
However, some diners have called for restaurants to ensure people don't touch the menu card, which contains the code as it defeats the purpose of being contactless. Many diners, on the other hand, hope the paper menus remain a thing of the past.
'We have had some customers casually pick up the QR Code card instead of them to scan with their cameras. When that happens, we quickly sanitise the card and suggest our customers rewash their hands.
'Sometimes people pick the card out of habit. It's the new normal, and we are all probably still getting used to it, he added.
Beyond limiting contact to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the option also helps businesses understand customers' menu choices better, track how many people accessed the virtual menu and keep count of how many unique scans were made.
Using the contactless menu allows restaurants to monitor how many new customers visited their outlet. It also provides a perfect mix of being cost-effective and delivering rich customer engagement.
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