E-commerce firms react to virus outbreak
Alibaba said it has punished seven online vendors for gouging or selling unlicensed facial masks, as supplies become scarce amid an ongoing pneumonia outbreak.
Three Taobao stores were closed down on late Monday and are awaiting further investigation, while another four vendors were found to be selling unlicensed, outdated or counterfeit masks and ordered to remove all merchandise and to rectify their operations.
Online shoppers who have already purchased from these vendors can file for refunds.
Alibaba's risk management unit has been actively monitoring customer complaints about late delivery of facial masks and other abnormalities.
Facial masks have sold out at most retail channels since earlier this month, when a novel coronavirus sparked an outbreak of coronavirus pneumonia. Market watchdogs have ordered online vendors not to stockpile masks or gouge customers.
Ant Financial, the e-commerce giant's financial and payment affiliate, is offering a collective insurance policy for medical staff working to fight the epidemic after some cases are reported.
JD is dispatching medical supplies and drugs from warehouses in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Qingdao, and an estimated 20 tons of material will reach Wuhan's railway stations every day.
Online delivery platform Eleme said it has arranged a special health relief fund of 300,000 yuan ($43,250) for its delivery staff nationwide.
The company is working with local supermarkets to deliver fresh groceries to neighborhood stores in Wuhan.
Meituan has also launched a new food delivery service in Wuhan, where customers can collect their orders at designated pick-up points and avoid direct contact with delivery staff.
