Encourage Doorstep Delivery: Centre

E-commerce to be allowed for all essential goods, including food, medicines and medical equipment

The Home Ministry on Tuesday issued a set of guidelines to be followed by the States to contain COVID-19. It asked all “enforcement authorities to note that these strict restrictions fundamentally relate to the movement of people, but not to that of essential goods”.

Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said in a tweet that the “list of essential services remains unchanged since March 22nd Janata Curfew”.

The Ministry said all commercial and private establishments shall be closed, except for shops, including ration shops dealing in food, groceries, fruits and vegetables, milk, meat, fish and fodder.” “However, district authorities may encourage and facilitate home delivery to minimise the movement of individuals outside their homes,” it said.