Amazon blocks shipments of “nonessential” items; while hiring 100,000 workers

Amazon said Tuesday that it will restrict shipments of nonessential items to its warehouses and hire 100,000 new workers to manage the influx of orders as coronavirus pushes people indoors. 

The e-commerce company told sellers and vendors in an email that it will only take in shipments of “household staples, medical supplies, and other high-demand products” until April 5, according to Business Insider. 

Amazon will prioritize baby products; health and household (including personal-care appliances); beauty and personal care; grocery; industrial and scientific; and pet supplies, per the email.

“We are seeing increased online shopping, and as a result some products such as household staples and medical supplies are out of stock,” the email said. “With this in mind, we are temporarily prioritizing household staples, medical supplies, and other high-demand products coming into our fulfillment centers so that we can more quickly receive, restock, and deliver these products to customers.”

The company also said on Monday that it will hire an additional 100,000 employees in its warehouse and delivery networks due to the increased demand. The company will also bump worker pay by $2 per hour through April.