<p>Even as the prime minister Narendra Modi announced the extension of lockdown for another 19 days, the e-commerce sector has sought clearance from the state government to start delivering both essential and non-essential goods during the extended lockdown period with necessary safety precautions.</p>.<p>In a presentation made to the state chief minister B S Yediyurappa through the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the e-commerce industry has stated that they can help the government in achieving the objectives of the lockdown by supplying essential items and other necessary goods.</p>.<p>“We have requested the government to allow e-commerce companies to deliver all products in an unrestricted manner. In case of restrictions on full opening, we have asked the government to allow delivery of smartphones, laptops & tablets, household & kitchen items, and books & general merchandise,” an e-commerce industry representative told <span class="italic">DH</span>.</p>.<p><strong><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/coronavirus-news-live-updates-lockdown-in-focus-as-indias-tally-goes-past-5800-global-toll-crosses-85000-817763.html" target="_blank">For latest updates and live news on coronavirus, click here</a></strong></p>.<p>The central and state governments have already classified e-commerce as an essential service. In recent weeks, e-commerce companies have ramped up capabilities to deliver essentials, namely food and grocery, to consumers across the country.</p>.<p>“An ICMR study shows a Covid-19 patient could infect 406 people in 30 days with free movement. On the other hand, a single e-commerce delivery person prevents about 350 people from coming out in a week to buy essentials. Ecommerce can also help promote social stability by ensuring people have access to all products in a timely manner,” the industry representative said.</p>.<p>Ecommerce platforms have the logistics infrastructure to deliver supplies of food, hygiene/sanitary and PPE products to front line responders (e.g. community kitchens) and vulnerable communities (e.g., migrant camps, via kiranas) in approximately 19,000 pin-codes using their delivery network.</p>.<p>Industry body Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has said partial operations by selected industries should be allowed to restart partially on a priority basis. “The “safe” lifting of the lockdown for sectors such as food processing, packaging, e-commerce, aerospace, construction and logistics sectors either partially or fully,” Sandeep Singh, Chairman, CII-Karnataka said.</p>.<p>It supports the MSME sector in a big way and the government can drive the revival of MSME sellers.</p>
<p>Even as the prime minister Narendra Modi announced the extension of lockdown for another 19 days, the e-commerce sector has sought clearance from the state government to start delivering both essential and non-essential goods during the extended lockdown period with necessary safety precautions.</p>.<p>In a presentation made to the state chief minister B S Yediyurappa through the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the e-commerce industry has stated that they can help the government in achieving the objectives of the lockdown by supplying essential items and other necessary goods.</p>.<p>“We have requested the government to allow e-commerce companies to deliver all products in an unrestricted manner. In case of restrictions on full opening, we have asked the government to allow delivery of smartphones, laptops & tablets, household & kitchen items, and books & general merchandise,” an e-commerce industry representative told <span class="italic">DH</span>.</p>.<p><strong><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/coronavirus-news-live-updates-lockdown-in-focus-as-indias-tally-goes-past-5800-global-toll-crosses-85000-817763.html" target="_blank">For latest updates and live news on coronavirus, click here</a></strong></p>.<p>The central and state governments have already classified e-commerce as an essential service. In recent weeks, e-commerce companies have ramped up capabilities to deliver essentials, namely food and grocery, to consumers across the country.</p>.<p>“An ICMR study shows a Covid-19 patient could infect 406 people in 30 days with free movement. On the other hand, a single e-commerce delivery person prevents about 350 people from coming out in a week to buy essentials. Ecommerce can also help promote social stability by ensuring people have access to all products in a timely manner,” the industry representative said.</p>.<p>Ecommerce platforms have the logistics infrastructure to deliver supplies of food, hygiene/sanitary and PPE products to front line responders (e.g. community kitchens) and vulnerable communities (e.g., migrant camps, via kiranas) in approximately 19,000 pin-codes using their delivery network.</p>.<p>Industry body Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has said partial operations by selected industries should be allowed to restart partially on a priority basis. “The “safe” lifting of the lockdown for sectors such as food processing, packaging, e-commerce, aerospace, construction and logistics sectors either partially or fully,” Sandeep Singh, Chairman, CII-Karnataka said.</p>.<p>It supports the MSME sector in a big way and the government can drive the revival of MSME sellers.</p>
