E-COMMERCE ON, BUT COMPLETING DELIVERIES TOUGH

NEW DELHI: On the first day of the national capital’s nine-day lockdown to contain the coronavirus disease, e-commerce companies continued deliveries of essential items such as groceries, vegetables and medicines to customers holed up at home, but restrictions imposed on the entry of outsiders in some residential neighbourhoods made their task more difficult.

Amazon India, which sells products ranging from kitchen staples to electronics, said it was doing its best to meet orders and meet the guidelines set by the government.

That means all essential items such as groceries, medicines and sanitary supplies will be delivered as usual; everything else will be on hold.

“We are watching this situation closely with a focus on the safety of our teams and ensuring we can meet customer promises. We are closely following guidance from local authorities and international organisations as this situation progresses to ensure we are taking the right precautions and have implemented a series of preventative health measures for employees, delivery and transportation partners at our sites around the world,” an Amazon spokespersons said in an email response to questions from Hindustan Times. The company clarified that the delivery of all non-essential items that had been ordered by customers before the lockdown was announced will also be delayed because of the government order.

“Messages have been sent out to all those who had placed the order with us informing them of the situation,” the spokesperson said. Physical stores such as Big Bazaar, a pan-India retail chain that sells a range of household items, also limited its sales to groceries, vegetables and everyday essentials.