Coronavirus lockdown: Govt reverses order on e-commerce companies; delivery of non-essential items to remain prohibited

E-commerce companies will not be allowed to deliver non-essential items during the extended period of lockdown ending May 3, the government said in a notification on Sunday, reversing its decision announced four days ago.

Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla issued the order excluding the plying of e-commerce vehicles from the April 15 guidelines allowing relaxations for various sectors to re-start activities if the economy, amid protests from traders and voices from the Opposition parties, including Congress, that it was discriminatory towards local retailers.

“In continuation of Ministry of Home Affairs’ Order No 40-3/2020-DM-I(A) dated 15 April, 2020 and 16 April, 2020, and in exercise of the powers conferred under Section 10-2)(I) of the Disaster Management Act, in his capacity as Chairperson,