HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW FROM YOUR LOCAL ONLINE SHOPPING SITES

Online shopping sites are selling necessities amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic.

With the whole of Luzon under quarantine, the government has ordered several measures to make sure to avoid the spread of COVID-19. Among the safety measures instituted by the government is a strict home quarantine, and promoted work-from-home arrangements and suspension of transportation across the whole region of Luzon. With that, shopping malls complied and have already shut down since March 16 to further help the maintenance and safety of everyone. But basic utilities and other establishments providing critical services are still allowed to operate during the quarantine period like supermarkets, convenience stores, drug stores, banks, and remittance centers.

Following the ordinance and with the current situation, many consumers have opted to use e-commerce as a way to buy their day-to-day basic needs. However, in a statement by Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, he discouraged the public from online shopping for clothes and other non-essential retail items as Luzon remains under strict quarantine. He suggested making use of these online shopping platforms to buy the necessities for the time being.

Lopez explained that the government will allow delivery services only for food, medicine, or other basic necessities during the quarantine period.

The competition among electronic shopping platforms in the Philippines is more cutthroat than ever. That is why these shopping sites are keeping all hands on deck during this trying time to keep up with the people’s demands. 

In a statement shared by Zilingo Philippines, the technology platform reiterated that they are observing utmost and precautionary steps to safeguard the customers from the possible virus exposure while maintaining normal operations to serve their customers with necessities like soaps, canned goods, and Vitamins and supplements.

“We believe that a little step goes a long way. Our focus now is to be of service to our fellowmen by providing them a platform where they can get the necessities that they need to get by each day,” says Shiela Mauricio, Head of Commercial, Zilingo Philippines.

In an advisory posted by another e-commerce platform, Lazada announced that despite the Enhanced Community Quarantine in the whole of Luzon, Lazada’s website and mobile application will continue to be active, though there will be delays with the delivery of goods from their end due to the heightened constraints from the government. However, LazMart, which is their grocery service, will continue to run with logistics operations to further serve and help their customers who are looking for basic necessities.

Lazada is also encouraging their customers to just shop at home to protect them from the threat of getting corona virus.

Unlike the two aforementioned shopping platforms Shopee, announced on Wednesday, that they will temporarily suspend the majority of their logistics operations. However, customers can still enjoy their engagement features and in-app games like Shopee Feed and Shopee Live.
Lastly,  Beauty MNL also shared over their Facebook account a Frequently Asked Questions post assuring their customers about their orders and deliveries.

 

 

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Allanah Paragas

Allanah Paragas is a very opinionated writer when it comes to politics. She writes everything that she could think of. She is a health buff who loves organic and healthy food, CrossFit, badminton, and archery.

About the Author

Allanah Paragas is a very opinionated writer when it comes to politics. She writes everything that she could think of. She is a health buff who loves organic and healthy food, CrossFit, badminton, and archery.