Check out what Amazon India is doing to ensure your delivery packages are safe

SUMMARY

Do you regularly order from Amazon and worry (like me) if your package is safe (i.e corona virus free) or not and how many people have come in contact with it. CNBC TV18 spoke to Amazon to understand the safety checks that the company's warehouse goes through before it gets our packages ready. The company says that it has added close to 100 changes in the on-ground operations to maintain social distancing and ensure safe delivery across partners and employees. Here is a sneak peek at how Amazon India is coping in this new normal.

By Kritika Saxena Aug 14, 2020 9:08:07 AM IST (Published)

Each one of us is concerned about the packages -- be food, groceries or even medicines -- that are delivered at our door steps and wonder whether they should be brought into our homes that we sanitize so frequently. We often wonder what if the delivery person is infected with the deadly coronavirus and what if the package is contaminated? To alleviate such concerns of customers, Amazon India is taking extreme measures to ensure that packages delivered are -- as far as possible -- free of any contagion. Take a look at the efforts the e-commerce platform is making to ensue the same.

Temperature checks | Amazon ensures temperature checks at entry and exit points in all buildings across its centres in India. Anyone registering a temperature of over 99.5F is asked to return home and return only after they’ve undergone three days without a fever or are recommended further checks.

Social distancing at work | Amazon has adjusted its practices so that teams can practice social distancing by maintaining at least 6-feet distance from co-workers. There are markings placed on the floor at each site to ensure people line up in a queue for effective management of staff.

Staggered shifts | Moreover, Amazon has initiated staggered shifts with different start and break timings and have increased the distance between tables in break rooms.

Personal protective gear | Amazon has mandated the use of face masks for all associates and partners in their network and has provided each employee with masks. They are required to wear masks at all time right from their arrival until the end of their shifts at all sites.

Increased focus on sanitization and hygiene | Alcohol-based hand sanitizer stations have been set up for all through their facilities.

Maintaining safe distance | Only a single employee is allowed to load and unload products from a delivery vehicle at a time.

Creating awareness among associates | Amazon India is regularly communicating with associates about washing their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using restrooms, before eating and after coughing or sneezing. They are also being educated on effectively managing preventive hygiene when they return home from work with a series of personal hygiene awareness campaigns.

Sanitisation of all sites and vehicles | All delivery associates regularly sanitize their hands, clean frequently-touched surfaces of their vehicle and compulsorily have to wear a face-masks at all times while making a delivery.

Contactless deliveries | All orders are delivered without any physical contact with customers. Delivery associate ring door bells and leave packages at the doorstep and move at least 2 metres away to ensure social distancing and for the safety of customers.