According to the World Health Organization, the possibility of virus transmission from an infected person through packages is low. Additionally, the risk of becoming ill with COVID-19 after having contact with packages that are exposed to different conditions and temperatures is also low.

To further ease worries, several e-commerce firms in Indonesia have announced that they have taken preventive measures to stem the spread of the disease.

“We ensure that our customers will receive packages that have been disinfected,” said Handhika Jahja, director of Shopee Indonesia, in a statement. “They also can choose whether they want to receive the packages without having to have direct contact with the delivery person or not.”

Handhika added that the company also maintained regular communication with sellers and buyers to contain the situation together.

Read also: E-commerce platform Tokopedia shuts down COVID-19 profiteers

Tokopedia also implements the same practice with its packages. On its website and social media, it shares the steps taken by its logistics partners to prevent the further spread of the disease, which include regular body temperature checks for the delivery team members, disinfecting the packages and sorting areas and providing hand sanitizer in the outlets of the e-commerce's logistic partners. The delivery people are also required to wear masks and gloves when distributing the packages.

Paket kamu aman kok, Toppers!#LayaknyaSahabat, mimin mau infoin setiap partner @Tokopedia melakukan tindakan pencegahan persebaran COVID-19 pada paket akan yang dikirimkan.

Yuk, cek apa aja sih tindakan pencegahan yang udah dilakukan!#DiRumahAjaDulu#SahabatTerbaikToppers pic.twitter.com/GGbt55LI26

— TokopediaCare (@TokopediaCare) March 21, 2020

Two of Tokopedia's logistic partners, namely Gojek and Grab, have also instructed their drivers to practice contactless delivery for their customers by placing the packages on fences, front terraces or on the passenger seats of motorbikes. Both the drivers and customers also have to maintain a distance of 2 meters from each other during the process.

Shopping online is currently more popular than ever as people are advised to stay indoors to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Many hotels and restaurants that previously did not offer a delivery service have also joined the bandwagon in order to reach out to their customers and maintain their business. (wir/kes)