Karnataka authorities allow non-essential goods deliveries during state-wide lockdown

By

Isabelle Crossley

Published
Apr 27, 2021

The Karnataka government has enabled ‘non-essential’ e-commerce to be delivered during its 14-day lockdown, allowing online fashion and beauty businesses operating in the state to continue their business.

As local authorities struggle to grapple with Karnataka state’s rising Covid-19 cases, especially in metro Bengaluru, a lockdown has been announced beginning from Tuesday evening. However, unlike in Maharashtra and Delhi,  non-essential e-commerce businesses, including fashion and beauty retailers, are allowed to continue home deliveries.
 
The guidelines, released by the state government on Monday, permit the delivery of, “all goods through e-commerce and home delivery,” ET Tech reported.

Brick-and-mortar stores selling non-essential goods in Karnataka are not permitted to open and essential stores may only open from 6am to 10am to curb movement of citizens. If brick-and-mortar stores can take their services online, they will be able to continue retailing and mitigate some of the disruption caused by physical store closures and a complete halt to operations in other areas. 
 
Although e-commerce will continue to operate in the state, numerous retailers saw a surge in purchases ahead of the lockdown. 

“In terms of business nothing changes because delivery of essentials is going to be allowed,” BigBasket CEO, Hari Menon, told the Economic Times. 

“Typically in a situation like this demand tends to shoot up, but we’re okay in terms of supply. The only problem we’re facing is people are falling ill.”