Takealot wants to stay open during the lockdown, do we need it?

After the President’s national address on the threat of COVID-19 this week, businesses are preparing for the imminent lockdown of the country. From the address, it is clear that only essential services will continue throughout this volatile time in SA. Does Takealot fall into this category?

You would think so, right? At a glance, Takealot offers a vital service, especially considering we want to minimise human interaction. Online shopping is the safest way to go about buying essentials. 

According to a recent post on the online retailer’s social media channels, it hopes to keep operating through the three-week Covid-19 lockdown. “We believe that we can play an important part in the lives of South African’s during this time, supplying essential goods to your doors in a manner that is safe and secure and we trust that the authorities will agree with us,” the notice reads. 

We would like to argue that authorities should agree, but considering the amount of delivery personnel that are employed by the retailer, it might pose a significant risk to them. Going out and delivering to numerous households during a lockdown is not exactly ‘safe’. Considering the circumstances. 

The essential services Pres Ramaphosa mentioned in his address included hospitals, pharmacies and supermarkets. Is Takealot a supermarket? Not really, eh.