Amazon’s next day - and in some cases same-day - deliveries are currently on hold.
Over the past few days, the online marketplace has set up a page on their website updating customers over concerns they have on when to expect ordered items to arrive.
“Yes, Amazon continues to serve customers,” they say. “We believe our role serving customers and the community during this time is a critical one.”
“Our teams are working to ensure we can continue to deliver to the most affected customers, many of whom have no other way to get essential items.”
“We are prioritising the intake and dispatch of items most needed by our customers right now.”
According to the Amazon website, “items such as food, health and personal care products, books and items needed to work from home” are what they are classing as ‘essential items’.
When making a purchase, it is also important to realise who you are buying from.
Items from individual businesses, for example,’ are likely to take some time due many businesses being closed and being unable to send and/or receive packages at this time.
On the important matter of whether it is safe to receive, the official Amazon line is that “the likelihood of an infected person contaminating commercial goods is low and the risk of catching the virus that causes the COVID-19 from a package that has been moved, travelled, and exposed to different conditions and temperature is low.”
As an added precaution, “drivers have now been advised to reduce contact with customers by placing packages at the customer’s doorstep”. They add that “if an ID check is required, these are now performed at a distance”.
Amazon is also giving away a free trial on Amazon’s Kids Unlimited service during the coronavirus lockadown. It gives customers access to thousands of kid-friendly books, movies, TV shows, educational apps and games.
For the latest guidelines, check out the websites of both UK Government and the World Health Organization for further information.
