E-commerce companies are likely to resume full services across most parts of the country from today that is Monday under the fourth phase of the lockdown which allows greater relaxations, although industry experts say they are eagerly waiting for states¡¯ to take decision on this matter.?
According to the latest Union Home Ministry¡¯s order, ¡°all other activities will be permitted, except those which are especially prohibited¡± under the fourth phase of the lockdown that ends on 31 May.?
However, in containment zones, only essential activities will be allowed by States and union territories - based on their assessment of the situation which may prohibit certain other activities in various zones or impose such restrictions as deemed necessary, the order added,? PTI said
Srinivas Mothey, Senior Vice President of Paytm Mall, said the move will help the company deliver to most of the metro cities which were in the red zones.?
"We thank the government for taking the decision to allow the delivery of non-essentials in red zones across the country. This move will help us deliver to most of the metro cities which presently fall in the red zones," he said, adding that the company has received a sizable number of consumer electronics wishlist orders from metro cities.
?He added that the company has already discussed with its merchant and logistics partners and will start taking orders and delivering from Monday itself.?
"We are ensuring that all state and central guidelines are followed to operate in the red zones. In the coming week, we hope for more relaxations in the interstate movement of non-essential goods so that e-commerce activity scales up," he added.
An executive, who did not add names, said companies are waiting for more clarity from states before taking a final call on resumption of services in various locations.?
A spokesperson of Snapdeal said that the MHA guidelines have given the way for a broader resumption of economic activity across most parts of India.?
"E-commerce has played a crucial role in the last two months by delivering a range of much-needed goods to consumers-within the safety of their homes. Our sellers and delivery partners have worked extensively to meet these requirements while exercising strict safety measures and we applaud their commitment in rising to the occasion," the spokesperson said.
He said the company is already ready and equipped and now can start serving customers all across India in Red, Green and Orange Zones and added that the development will enable lakhs of medium and small online sellers to start rebuilding the businesses.?
In the two phases of the lockdown which started from 25 March, e-commerce companies were allowed to sell only essential items like grocery, healthcare and pharmaceutical products.?
In the third phase which started 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, Hyderabad and Pune.?
Sales of non-essential items on an e-commerce platform in the first week of May were lower than any year on account of lockdown but orders were scaling fast as people were buying apparel, grooming products and smartphones among other items.?
The industry? still continues to face the challenge of availability with limited manpower for warehouses and delivery due to the coronavirus pandemic.?
Similarly, cab hailing services like Ola and Uber may also resume service across the locations.?
With mutual consent of the states and union territories, the services or state movement can take place according to MHA.?
These activities will be permitted with restriction, except in the containment zones. Also standard operating procedures (SOPs) for movement of the people will continue to operate.?