E-commerce firms can’t sell non-essential items during lockdown, clarifies MHA in a new order

“It is clarified that sale by E-commerce companies will continue to be permitted for essential goods only,” said MHA in order no. 40-3/2020-DM-I(A).

“It is clarified that sale by E-commerce companies will continue to be permitted for essential goods only,” said MHA in order no. 40-3/2020-DM-I(A). (Reuters)

"It is clarified that sale by E-commerce companies will continue to be permitted for essential goods only," said MHA in order no. 40-3/2020-DM-I(A). This means the e-commerce firms won't be able to take orders for non-essential items or deliver them.

This goes in line with MHA's week-old announcement on non-essential items. "Supply of non-essential goods by e-commerce companies to remain prohibited during Lockdown 2 to fight COVID," said MHA spokesperson.

It's worth adding that the government had earlier eased restrictions on the e-commerce companies. The move allowed the e-commerce companies to resume operations before the lockdown ends on May 3. Flipkart had already begun taking new orders for smartphones.  

During the first phase of lockdown, the e-commerce companies had restricted their services to the supply of essential items only.