E-commerce firms seek clarity on non-essentials; gear up for MHA guidelines

The MHA has come up with fresh guidelines allowing e-commerce companies to operate, ensuring strict social distancing without any restriction on their timing and closure, after April 20

E-commerce companies such as Amazon and Flipkart, and sellers, have reached out to the government seeking clarity on whether they would be allowed to sell non-essential items under the fresh guidelines.

On Wednesday, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in the fresh guidelines allowed e-commerce companies to operate without any restriction on their working hours from April 20, provided they ensure strict social distancing.

However, some said there were ambiguities that need to be addressed, because while inter-state transportation of non-essentials was allowed, it was not clear whether e-commerce companies would be allowed to sell the products.