As India Goes Into Lockdown, Flipkart Suspends Service, Amazon To Prioritize Essential Orders

Despite them being classified as 'essential services' which are exempted from the ongoing nation-wide lockdown, e-commerce giants Flipkart and Amazon India have suspended their services.

In a message posted on the homepage of its website, Flipkart announced "These are difficult times, times like no other. Never before, have communities stayed apart to stay safe! Never before has being at home meant helping the nation!" Flipkart notes that consumers¡¯ "needs have always been our priority and our promise is that we will be back to serve you as soon as possible".

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Amazon India has said they have stopped taking any new orders and are prioritising supplying customers with essential goods. Amazon India has said they will prioritise to serve products that are currently critical for our customers such as household staples, packaged food, healthcare, hygiene, personal safety and other high priority products.

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Grocery delivery services like Grofers, Big Basket and Fresh to Home have also suspended services. "We are currently facing operational challenges due to a lack of clarity in our listing as an essential service provider. We are working around the clock with respected authorities to resolve this so that you don¡¯t face any inconvenience," Grofers said.

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"In light of recent development with multiple statements coming in, we are awaiting clarifications from the authorities basis which we will be able to determine how soon can we get back to serving you," Big Basket said.

However, in light of recent development with multiple statements coming in, we are awaiting clarifications from the authorities basis which we will be able to determine how soon can we get back to serving you. We are grateful for your patience.

¡ª bigbasket (@bigbasket_com) March 24, 2020

This is bad news for India, especially in the urban areas where lockdown is likely to have the biggest impact. While the delivery of essential items such as food and medical supplies by online retailers are exempt from the lockdown, the suspension of service is due to the collapse of their supply chains across the country.

There are also allegations that the delivery agents of online retailers and food delivery services like Zomato and Swiggy were stopped and turned away by the police in many cities.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced a 21-day lockdown across the country in an attempt to stop the spread of the coronavirus. PM Modi said that if we do not follow the nationwide lockdown for 21 days, we will be pushed back by 21 years. There will be a complete bar on people from stepping outside their homes, he said and even folded his hands to emphasise his request to citizens to adhere to the call.

My fellow citizens,

THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO NEED TO PANIC.

Essential commodities, medicines etc. would be available. Centre and various state governments will work in close coordination to ensure this.

Together, we will fight COVID-19 and create a healthier India.

Jai Hind!

¡ª Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 24, 2020

Experts and the experience of countries fighting the deadly virus make it clear that social distancing is the only way to combat the disease, he asserted.