Good news! Now you can order non-essentials on Amazon, Paytm Mall, Snapdeal and others

• A recent directive from the Indian government on the extended lockdown allows the ecommerce platforms to deliver non-essential items as well, starting April 21.
  
• Paytm Mall said that it is “already speaking to brands and merchant partners so that they can start to go live with all categories.”
  
• However, the delivery vehicles of these companies will have to take the permit from the government authorities to start delivering.
  

A recent directive from the Indian government on the extended lockdown allows the ecommerce platforms to deliver non-essential items as well, starting April 21.

"All facilities in the supply chain of essential goods, whether involved in manufacturing, wholesale or retail of such goods through local stores, large brick and mortar stores or e-commerce companies should be allowed to operate, ensuring strict social distancing without any restriction on their timing of opening and closure,” the guidelines from the Ministry of Home Affairs said.

This was after Prime Minister Narendra Modi eased lockdown regulations for some areas, while extending it for another 19 days.

It means e-commerce companies like Amazon, Flipkart, Snapdeal and Paytm Mall can now deliver electronics, mobile phones, televisions, refrigerators, laptops and other stationery items during the extended lockdown till May 3, PTI reports.

This is going to be a big relief for these e-commerce companies.

"The government's decision has come at a very crucial time. This would help a host of non-essential goods merchants as they had to stop operations during this period of lockdown. We are already speaking to brands and our merchant partners so that they can start to go live with all categories on Paytm Mall,” said Srinivas Mothey, SVP at Paytm Mall.

“We believe that there is going to be a massive demand for electronics and mobile phones and accessories as many of our consumers have been reaching out to us to know when these categories would be live again,” Mothey added.

However, the delivery vehicles of these companies will have to take the permit from the government authorities to start delivering. Earlier, the guidelines clearly said that ecommerce is allowed to sell only essential goods like food, pharmaceuticals and medical devices.

“We welcome MHA’s updated guidelines for the e-commerce sector. At this critical juncture, the e-commerce industry can ensure that citizens stay indoors and all their needs are met through home deliveries with immense precautions,” Snapdeal said.

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