New Delhi:18 May 2020. Under the fourth phase of lockdown, e-commerce firms have been allowed to deliver essential and non-essential products in red zones as well. Earlier, these firms could deliver non-essential items only in green and orange zones. Also Read – Not Mandatory: Centre Highlights Advantage of Aarogya Setu App, Makes it Optional to Download
However, in containment zones, only essential activities will be allowed. States and union territories – based on their assessment of the situation – may prohibit certain other activities in various zones or impose such restrictions as deemed necessary, an order by the Centre said. Also Read – Centre Extends Lockdown Till May 31, Allows Inter-state Movement of Buses For Migrants | Key Points
In the first two phases of the lockdown (that started from March 25), e-commerce companies were allowed to sell only essential items like grocery, healthcare and pharmaceautical products. Also Read – India’s ICT Policy Will Help Achieve SDGs: TRAI Chairman
In the third phase (from May 4), these platforms were allowed to sell all items in orange and green zones, but only essential items were allowed to be shipped in red zones that include top e-commerce hubs like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Pune and Hyderabad.
Sales of non-essential items on e-commerce platforms in the first week of May were lower than last year on account of the lockdown, but orders were scaling fast as people bought apparel, smartphones and grooming products among other items.
The industry continues to face the challenge of availability of limited manpower for warehouses and delivery.
