Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia opens drive-thru grocery stores

The first drive-thru food truck grocery store selling fruits and vegetables has opened in Al Khobar in an effort to prevent overcrowding in supermarkets and curb the spread of COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia.

The new initiative gives Saudi youths an opportunity to sell their products safely.

A dozen points of sale have been set up in air-conditioned cabins on the new fruit and vegetable market, allowing customers to shop directly from their vehicles.

The mayor of Al Khobar, Sultan bin Hamid Al Zaidi said that this innovative market commenced operations on Friday. It covers an area of 6,500 sq. meters in the parking lots of the “Iskan Square” Park in southern Al Khobar.

He added that the Municipality prepared the site for the market and provided 10 workers for daily cleaning during the working hours of the market, which is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Health supervisors from the municipality will be on site along with safety and security supervisors to ensure compliance by staff and visitors with all safety protocols.