There are many people working on the front lines these days, helping fight the pandemic of COVID-19.
They include nurses, first responders, and those working at grocery stores and pharmacies. There is another group of people that may visit hundreds of people daily that are not getting recognized the same. They are Canada Post employees, and those that deliver parcels.
Quinte News received a call Monday from one person who delivers for Canada Post. The individual asked not to be named. He/she says in any given day he/she stops at between 100 and 150 people’s homes. With that they could run into someone at the door, but also they touch mailboxes, doors, and mail and parcels.
The main concern the person had is safety. He/she says not only could they get the virus off mail, or a door knob infecting themself, they could also unknowingly spread it door to door, home to home. He/she finished by saying that they have been given latex gloves, but there is concern the virus can last on them.
Canada Post says they are doing everything they can to keep employees, customers, and the community safe.
No more signing at the door is taking place, and agents will be applying a safe drop at the door or in the mailbox when it is safe to do so.
You can see their full guidelines below.
Canada Post has new guidelines in the face of the Coronavirus
Signature items
As the situation caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) quickly evolves, we want to assure you that all of us at Canada Post are doing everything we can to keep our employees, customers and the communities we serve safe.
Following the direction of the Public Health Agency of Canada, we continue to introduce new safety measures to help contain the spread of COVID-19. Until further notice, these safety measures will now include a change to how we deliver the door-to-door items that normally require a signature.
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- To help minimize points of close contact in our communities, we will no longer be requesting signatures for any deliveries to the door. This will eliminate the need for scanners and stylus pens to be passed back and forth during the delivery process of these items.
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- Instead, where possible, our delivery agents will apply our safe drop process. This means they will leave these items in your mailbox or outside your door if it’s safe to do so. Where it’s not possible to safe drop, our delivery agent will leave a notice card indicating the post office where you can pick up your items by showing proof of identity.
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- To receive the following items only: Registered, Xpresspost Certified, Proof of Identity, Proof of Age, COD (collect on delivery) and items where custom fees are due, please know that we cannot release these items unless a signature is provided. You will receive a notice card indicating the post office where you can pick up your items by showing proof of identity and signing. If you are sick or under self-isolation, please arrange for someone to pick up these items in your place.
Canada Post will continue to monitor the rapidly evolving situation around COVID-19, and to actively follow the guidance and safety recommendations of the Public Health Agency of Canada.
We will let you know about any changes we make to our processes that will help increase the collective safety of our communities. If you have general concerns about the safety of the mail, we would like to assure you that the World Health Organization continues to state that mail and packages are safe to handle, including those from incoming countries.
During this difficult period, as we continue to connect and to proudly serve you, please know that your safety and the safety of our employees remains our top priority.
