A booth was set up in front of a shopping mall in Shanghai, offering free gifts to those who remain working on the streets during the epidemic outbreak, as part of a welfare activity that began on March 3, 2020. (Photo: Screenshot from shanghaiquanzi WeChat video)

Employees who remain busy working outside on the streets during the coronavirus epidemic, such as sanitation workers and delivery service providers, are now able to get free gifts at around 10 shopping malls in Shanghai.

Catering services, including Peet's Coffee, McDonald's and StayReal Café, are offering packaged delicacies from designated booths in the shopping malls.

Hot food choices, including noodles and lunch boxes, are also on offer from some Chinese-style restaurants, as are snack foods like biscuits.

Puma is also handing out sports shoes to delivery service providers for free. "Is it really free?" asked one disbelieving delivery man.

"It may be endurable for years," he said as he walked away in a delightful mood.

It didn't take long for some delivery service providers to call the city's hotline in order to express their gratitude.

The warm-hearted welfare activity began on Tuesday and is scheduled to continue until March 10.