Officials from the commerce and market regulation bureaus of Nantong inspect the working environment at a local catering firm on Feb 12. [Photo/ntfabu.com]

Nantong, East China's Jiangsu province, allowed nine local catering firms to provide group meal orders and delivery services during the novel coronavirus outbreak on Feb 11.

The firms are Yinzuo Garden Hotel, Haoshan Catering Co, Baofuji Beef Noodles Restaurant, Nantong Zhichu Catering Co, Mr Bai's Kitchen, Liuqiaoer Catering Co, Holiday Inn Nantong Oasis International, Xinghaitian Hotel, and Qifa Catering Co.

The list resulted from a strict and comprehensive evaluation by the Nantong Hotel and Catering Chamber of Commerce and the city's market regulation bureau.

Companies, organizations, institutes, and other units can order meals via phone or third-party online platforms. Orders for breakfasts should be made before 12:00 the previous day, while lunches and dinners should be ordered before 16:00 the previous day.

Meals will be packed individually and can be either picked up or delivered. The prices per portion range from 10 yuan ($1.43) to 40 yuan.

The commerce bureau has required all catering firms to take strict measures to prevent infection while preparing the food.

Meanwhile, relevant departments are working to evaluate more catering firms as demand for food orders increases as more businesses resume operations.

Officials also said that market supply has been adequate in Nantong, with prices of commodities remaining stable.

As of Feb 11, a total of 66 supermarkets, each covering an area of more than 5,000 square meters, had opened in the city, along with 570 gas stations.

There are currently 11,500 tons of vegetables, 2,280 tons of meat, and 7,000 tons of grains and edible oil being stored in the city.