diff --git a/src/bot.py b/src/bot.py
index b52e3da..6b122ee 100644
--- a/src/bot.py
+++ b/src/bot.py
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@
 def main():
     """Start the bot."""
     # Set use_context=True to use the new context based callbacks
-    updater = Updater(token=os.getenv('RC_DINING_BOT_TOKEN'), use_context=True)
+    updater = Updater(token=os.getenv('RC_DINING_BOT_TOKEN'), use_context=True, workers=32)
 
     # Get the dispatcher to
     dispatcher = updater.dispatcher
diff --git a/src/commands/general.py b/src/commands/general.py
index cfae1f2..2e430fd 100644
--- a/src/commands/general.py
+++ b/src/commands/general.py
@@ -1,10 +1,12 @@
 import telegram
+from telegram.ext import run_async
 
 from util.kb_mark_up import start_kb, start_button_kb
 from util.messages import welcome_msg, help_msg
 import logging
 
 
+@run_async
 def handle_start(update, context):
     if update.callback_query is not None:
         context.bot.answer_callback_query(update.callback_query.id)
@@ -14,6 +16,7 @@ def handle_start(update, context):
                              parse_mode=telegram.ParseMode.HTML)
 
 
+@run_async
 def handle_help(update, context):
     if update.callback_query is not None:
         context.bot.answer_callback_query(update.callback_query.id)
diff --git a/src/commands/meal.py b/src/commands/meal.py
index 6319125..f5de830 100644
--- a/src/commands/meal.py
+++ b/src/commands/meal.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import logging
 
 import telegram
+from telegram.ext import run_async
 
 from util.const import (
     BREAKFAST,
@@ -10,7 +11,6 @@
 from util.util import parse_menu, localized_date_today
 from database.database import get_raw_menu, get_hidden_cuisines
 from util.kb_mark_up import start_button_kb
-from datetime import date
 from dateparser import parse
 
 
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ def handle_menu(meal):
     assert meal == BREAKFAST or meal == DINNER, "Meal input is incorrect."
 
     # in this function, parsed_date returns date in Singapore time. As such, no conversion is required.
+    @run_async
     def get_breakfast_or_dinner_menu(update, context):
         if update.callback_query is not None:
             context.bot.answer_callback_query(update.callback_query.id)
diff --git a/src/commands/settings.py b/src/commands/settings.py
index 1d5467a..ac66c88 100644
--- a/src/commands/settings.py
+++ b/src/commands/settings.py
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 import telegram
+from telegram.ext import run_async
 
 from util.const import (
     BREAKFAST,
@@ -20,6 +21,7 @@
 
 
 # settings menu
+@run_async
 def handle_settings(update, context):
     if update.callback_query is not None:
         context.bot.answer_callback_query(update.callback_query.id)
@@ -30,6 +32,7 @@ def handle_settings(update, context):
 
 
 # hidden cuisine panel
+@run_async
 def handle_hidden_cuisine(update, context):
     if update.callback_query is not None:
         context.bot.answer_callback_query(update.callback_query.id)
@@ -52,6 +55,7 @@ def handle_hide_cuisine(update, context):
     update.callback_query.edit_message_reply_markup(reply_markup=hidden_cuisine_kb(updated_hidden_cuisine))
 
 
+@run_async
 def handle_notification(update, context):
     if update.callback_query is not None:
         context.bot.answer_callback_query(update.callback_query.id)