Amazon, Flipkart Will Not Be Allowed to Deliver Non-essentials During Lockdown 2.0

Contrary to what was being reported, the Ministry of Home Affairs has issued a circular stating that the delivery of non-essential items by e-commerce companies like Amazon and Flipkart will remain suspended during the lockdown 2.0 period. Several reports had claimed that the government was going to allow e-commerce companies to deliver non-essentials after 20 April.

“Supply of non-essential goods by e-commerce companies to remain prohibited during the lockdown,” says an MHA circular. Furthermore, vehicles used by e-commerce operators would only be allowed to ply after obtaining the necessary permissions.

According to the consolidated revised guidelines regarding the lockdown measures to be taken by Ministries/Departments of Government of India, State/UT Governments released by the MHA, e-commerce companies would be allowed to function and its vehicles allowed to ply under essential services.

E-commerce companies would also have to ensure certain best practices such as using a face mask, sanitization of vehicles and bags, contactless delivery and so on. Various state governments have also come up with guidelines for riders to obtain e-passes to ensure riders are not harassed by police and smooth delivery on essentials.

Also, the recent incident of a pizza delivery boy testing positive for COVID-19 and leading to the self-quarantine of 72 families in Delhi, has highlighted the need for e-commerce companies and home delivery services to further adopt guidelines in a more stringent manner so as to keep riders and customers safe.