State Secretariat for Trade prepares guide on developing online commercial activity and trade in rural areas without commercial premises

The State Secretariat for Trade of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism has prepared a 'Guide of recommendations for the development of distance commercial activity and supply to rural areas without commercial premises', which seeks to enhance the protection of the public and of workers in the distance marketing of goods in the forms of online trade, phones sales, click & collect and click & car. This complements the 'Guide on good practices in the trade sector' published at the start of the crisis caused by COVID-19.

The Guide, drawn up together with the Ministry of Health and with contributions from the sector, establishes guidelines to guarantee the safety of both consumers and salespersons who work outside of the physical establishment and distribute products in rural areas that lack physical premises.

The aim is to minimise the risk of contagion while guaranteeing the supply through online and phone sales, and service from vehicles that pass through areas which do not have establishments for the sale of basic goods. For the State Secretary for Trade, Xiana Méndez, "commercial services are essential to guarantee that people have essential goods to ensure a complete supply".

The Guide will be made available on the web page of the ministerial department.

Non official translation