5 things you must know about your Amazon order during the lockdown

• Amazon continues to function during the coronavirus lockdown as it comes under an essential service.
• However, its operationality hasn’t come without its own set of challenges as delivery agents were harassed on the roads by policemen.
• But if you continue to place orders online, here’s all that you need to remember.

If you are one of those who relies on online delivery all the time and now even more so due to the lockdown in India, Amazon comes to you as a saviour. Amazon continues to work as an essential service during the coronavirus lockdown in the country. However, its operationality hasn’t come without its own set of challenges.

On the first day of the lockdown, delivery riders from Amazon, Flipkart, Grofers and more were hassled by policemen, whereas some of them were even arrested. This led to many e-commerce platforms temporarily suspending their operations. However, after fresh directives from the government, services resumed.

Even then, users across the country were perplexed with questions, will they continue to get their essentials on time, what happens to their orders placed before the lockdown and more.

Here are five things you need to know about your orders on Amazon.

1. ‘Essentials’ only- E-commerce has been listed as an essential service and under the same, Amazon continues to function through the coronavirus pandemic. Amazon said that it is currently prioritizing products critical for customers such as household staples, packaged food, healthcare, hygiene, personal safety and other high priority products. But this also means that you won’t be able to place orders for other products as the company said that lower-priority products are temporarily unavailable on Amazon.

2. Sanitized and disinfected - While many are being cautious of online deliveries too at this point, Amazon said that it is following the guidance from local authorities, and the World Health Organization (WHO), to ensure the safety of products. “From increasing frequency and intensity of cleaning at sites, sanitization of all frequently touched areas to disinfecting work stations regularly, there are several measures taken to ensure the right preventive actions,” the company said.

3. Delivery partners are safe - Taking care of its delivery partners as well as the products they deliver, Amazon has ordered all delivery partners to regularly wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds specially after using the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing their nose, coughing, or sneezing. They are also being asked to clean their vehicles and delivery devices regularly to ensure a safe delivery.

However, the associate might not be wearing a mask as according to WHO masks should be worn only by those who are either infected or show symptoms of cough, cold or fever, and to better manage supply of masks, they should be prioritized for medical professionals and others who may need them.

4. Contactless delivery - As the coronavirus pandemic spreads, most e-commerce platforms have now introduced contactless delivery. Following the rules of social distancing, your Amazon delivery will leave the package on your door. This means that the cash on delivery option has been temporarily suspended.

5. Thank the delivery heroes - While we get to stay at home, delivery associates are out there continuing to do their work even if it puts their lives at risk. So the next time you meet a delivery partner, say thank you!

See Also:
Amazon is cancelling orders that don’t fall under ‘essential services’ and were placed before coronavirus lockdown