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Updated: May 4, 2020 12:42:02 am
Amazon, Flipkart can deliver all products in some areas starting May 4 – check who can order what (Image: Reuters)
Ecommerce platforms like Amazon, Flipkart and others have been calling on the Indian government to start delivering non-essential products as they will help their small business partners revive their business after weeks of closure. Until now, online retail platforms have only been able to accept orders for essential products such as groceries, medical products, etc. Starting May 4, e-commerce platforms will be able to sell and deliver essential and non-essential products, but only in some areas.
The latest guidelines of the Ministry of the Interior (MHA) establish that electronic commerce platforms will be able to deliver non-essential products only in the green and orange areas. The government has divided the country into three zones: green, orange, and red. Read to know more about these areas.
Who can order what from e-commerce platforms
Before ordering, find out which zone it belongs to. Click here to find out what area you live in. If you live in the green and orange zones from May 4 onwards, you can order essential and non-essential products from online platforms. Whether it’s a smartphone, a laptop, or a dress, you can order everything from eCommerce platforms starting May 4.
Also read: Read the latest e-commerce guidelines here
However, if you live in one of the red zones, your orders should be limited to essential items only. Amazon, Flipkart and other e-commerce services will not be able to deliver non-essential products if you belong to one of the red zones. In particular, metropolitan cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Pune, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Ahmedabad have been designated as red zones. See the complete list of red zones here.
Amazon, Flipkart welcomes new guidelines
Amazon India said they welcome the government’s decision to “allow e-commerce in the Orange and Green Zones to serve people safely with the products they need and have been unable to access due to the blockade.” The e-commerce giant said it will maintain the sanctity of the new guidelines around red zones and urge the government to consider the “positive role that e-commerce can play so that customers also receive all the priority products they need in the red zones, allowing greater financial support for small businesses while prioritizing security. “
Amazon further added that this move will allow millions of small and medium-sized businesses and merchants to boost their businesses and livelihoods across their entire workforce. “Our top priority is to ensure the safety of our customers, employees, and partners, and we will continue to join efforts to fight the pandemic by serving people in the safety of their homes with the products they need and assisting in social distancing efforts to maintain India for sure. “
Flipkart said: “We welcome the Government’s efforts to progressively outline an exit plan from the blockade and allow e-commerce to serve consumers in the Orange and Green areas by meeting their product needs, in addition to serving essential products / groceries in the Red Zone through a secure supply chain and SOP. “
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