Amazon is stopping suppliers from sending non-essential goods to fulfillment centers in order to focus on shipping the goods people need to stay safe during the coronavirus outbreak

As reported on Amazon's DayOne blog and in a Business Insider article, Amazon is trying to better serve the vast number of customers who have turned to online shopping as a means of reducing their exposure to coronavirus infection by sending warehouse incoming "commodities, medical supplies, and other critical items will be temporarily prioritized" This new rule will remain in effect at least until April 5

Specifically, the categories Amazon is counting as priorities are baby products, health and household products, beauty and personal care, groceries, industrial and scientific products, and pet products

While Amazon does not refuse to sell certain products and will not turn away products that are already being shipped, it will not accept any new inventory of products outside of these categories However, if warehouses run short and cannot be restocked under the temporary rule, this could mean a shortage of certain items

In the same post, Amazon also revealed that it is working to prevent price gouging and that it is blocking or removing tens of thousands of items in accordance with its policies The company also announced that it is hiring 100,000 new full- and part-time positions across the US to work in fulfillment centers to meet customer demand The company also raised hourly wages through April by $2 per hour in the US, £2 per hour in the UK, and about €2 per hour in many EU countries