E-commerce companies take precautionary measures as country moves towards social distancing

• The company is monitoring their health and wellbeing very closely and they are instructed to strictly stay at home if they begin to feel unwell.

The whole world is facing a severe health crisis, as COVID-19 spreads globally. Across many countries the strain of COVID 19 has made a huge impact, where isolation and social distancing measures have been put in place.

Similar trends are being followed in Pakistan as the country comes together to cope with the pandemic. Stock markets have become increasingly volatile and businesses across the world are grappling with the possible impacts of these unprecedented.

Companies have asked their workers to work from home and schools have been closed.

Due to health concerns, people are avoiding crowds to practice social distancing following recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO).

In Pakistan, people are practicing self-quarantine and social distancing to mitigate the spread of the virus. They are also increasingly shifting towards e-commerce platforms to fulfil their daily needs.

Recognizing this shift in consumer behaviour, online shopping platforms have implemented strict protocols to ensure the safety of customers and employees.

Daraz, the leading online marketplace in Pakistan, is “making sure that all appropriate health and hygiene standards are adhered to” at its facilities including the warehouses, hubs and sorting centers, according to a email that was rolled out to customers by Ehsan Saya, Managing Director, Daraz Pakistan.

The company is monitoring their health and wellbeing very closely and they are instructed to strictly stay at home if they begin to feel unwell.

“It is our primary responsibility right now to ensure that our employees, delivery agents and customers remain safe. We anticipate an uptick in demand and have taken steps to ensure that we are equipped to serve the needs of our customers. At the same time, it is our social responsibility to help prevent the spread of the virus and therefore, the strictest standards of hygiene are being enforced at our facilities,” said Ahmed Tanveer, COO Daraz Pakistan.

According to Disease Control and the World Health Organization, the risks of transmission from a package is likely very low. When delivering packages, Daraz’s DEX Heroes and delivery agents are strictly advised to wash their hands regularly and use face masks and wear hand gloves.

Additionally, they have been instructed to carry hand sanitizers with them when delivering packages and to disinfect the packages at the customer's doorstep before handing them over.

Daraz warehouses, vans and delivery bikes are being disinfected daily to maintain the highest levels of hygiene standards.

Additionally, Daraz is taking measures to ensure that customers have access to the basic commodities that they need such as flour, hand sanitizers, baby formula, hand washes, soaps, tea, lentils, sugar and breakfast cereals.

In the email addressed to customers, Saya also recommended customers to wash their hands after receiving a package. While there is no evidence that banknotes transmit the virus, he also encouraged them to shift towards digital payment methods when transacting on Daraz.

At the same time, DEX Heros have been asked to wear gloves when handling cash transactions. COVID-19 has significantly impacted the manner in which people across the world transact.

As more people move towards shopping online, e-commerce platforms have a responsibility of ensuring that employees and customers are safeguarded from the virus.