COVID19: e-Commerce websites to deliver non-essentials starting April 20

In a relief to consumers amid COVID19 lockdown and imposed restrictions, the Govt has decided to allow delivery of non-essential items pan India by ecommerce websites like Amazon, flipkart, etc. from April 20, 2020.
For now, e-commerce websites like Amazon and Flipkart are only delivering essential grocery and medical items. However, due to the surge in orders, the e-commerce giants were unable to fulfil the demands and had to refrain from taking new orders.
“Digital economy is critical to the services sector and is important for national growth. Accordingly, e-commerce operations, operations of IT and IT-enabled services, data and call centres for Government activities, and online teaching and distance learning are all permitted activities now,” a statement issued by the government read.
As per the fresh guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the vehicles that are used by e-commerce companies will be allowed to ply with permission.“Vehicles used by e-commerce operators will be allowed to ply with necessary permissions,” the guidelines read.
Earlier, the customers couldn't order things like Mobile, Laptop, television sets or other important gadgets from the e-commerce websites but as per the latest guidelines, the e-commerce platforms like Amazon, Flipkart and others can resume their services from April 20. So you don't have to worry if your phone is slowing down, you will get a new one at your doorstep soon.
Flipkart will start accepting orders for all the non-essential items from April 20 in compliance with the guidelines issued by the government. “In line with the guidelines announced by the central government and also in collaboration with all states and local authorities, we will continue to serve consumers,” a Flipkart spokesperson told.
Amazon on other hand said that it is waiting for some clarification regarding the new guidelines issued.
“The resumption of economic activity from April 20 is a welcome step that would nonetheless depend on unhindered availability of labour that is critical to deliver essential products to people across the country and ensure they can stay home safely,” an Amazon spokesperson told agencies.
This move by the government will not only help the e-commerce platforms in recovering their loses but it will also ensure that the people who are associated with the platforms, mainly the delivery boys can make their ends meets without having to struggle much.
Courtesy: Economic Times