New Delhi: The centre has clarified that the supply of non-essential goods by e-commerce firms remain prohibited till the lockdown which ends on May 3.

The clarification came in after reporters claimed that e-commerce firms are free to deliver non-essential items including mobile phones, refrigerators, television and other consumer durables starting April 20.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said that there will be no relaxation with regards to delivery of non-essential items. 

However, what sparked the confusion was the fact that the Ministry of Home Affairs had not mentioned specifically that the delivery of non-essential items by online sellers have been banned in its guidelines for lockdown 2.0 .

While the government earlier said that the vehicles used by e-commerce firms will be allowed to ply, the guidelines did not specify whether companies would be allowed only essential goods.

However, the confusion has now been cleared by the government.

E-commerce companies will be allowed to deliver only essential items like food, pharmaceutical and medical equipment till the lockdown ends.