So, you've come to the conclusion that maybe those new throw pillows aren't exactly what the Prime Minister had in mind when he was listing off "essential" reasons to leave the house.

I mean, sure, they're essential to the feng shui of your living room, but that's not a good enough reason to go bending the rules now, is it?

Coronavirus is, inevitably, changing the way that we're shopping — and as more restrictions on movement come into effect, that means a shift away from brick and mortar stores to online catalogues.

"We've had record days [of parcels] this week, bigger than the Christmas peak," Australia Post CEO Christine Holgate told the ABC's Patricia Karvelas on RN Drive.

"So, as people are at home, they're online shopping."

But like almost every facet of Australian life, the delivery services that make it all possible aren't immune to the global pandemic.

So what do you need to know when you're placing an order?

Will my package even be delivered?

First and foremost, it's important to note that Australia Post is still operational — so if you've placed an online order, there's a good chance it will still be delivered.

Post offices remain open (although select stores have been closed and there have been changes to metropolitan collection times), and you'll still spot posties and drivers out and about.

Post offices remain open and you'll still spot posties and drivers out and about. ( AAP )

In addition, you'll still be able to send and receive domestic parcels and mail, pay bills and use Bank@Post.

If you're living in a part of Australia subject to border restrictions, you won't be affected by the changes — Australia Post and other courier services have advised there's no disruption to those mail and parcel services.

What about sending or receiving packages from overseas?

Economy Air international parcel deliveries to all countries have been suspended until further notice.

You can still send letters, but there are country-specific restrictions in place.

If you were planning on using all that free time in self-isolation to reconnect with your pen pal in Canada, for example, you're looking at international delivery delays of up to six weeks due to limited flights and government restrictions.

It's a similar story in the United States, where flight disruptions and cancellations are causing delays for all inbound and outbound items.

"Ninety-five per cent of international flights in and out of Australia have been cancelled, so there's definitely a capacity issue." Ms Holgate said.

You can find the full list of country-specific updates here.

Should I be expecting delays?

With more people moving to online shopping as they work from home, self-isolate or avoid confined public spaces, Australia Post says it's seeing an "uplift in parcels that is resulting in some delays in our network".

The current reduction in domestic flights has also led to delays in domestic deliveries — particularly in the Express Post Network.

Australia Post says it's seeing an "uplift in parcels that is resulting in some delays in our network". ( ABC News: Meghna Bali )

So how long should you be expecting to wait for your parcel?

According to Ms Holgate, it could take "a couple more days to get to you".

"We've seen the regional airlines — we've seen all the airlines — suspend flights, and that's how our products go across the country," she said.

"So all of those secondary impacts do impact us as well. On occasion, it might take a couple more days to get to you, but it shouldn't take much longer than that."

Will I still have to sign for my delivery?

To minimise the risk of contracting or spreading coronavirus, parcels no longer require a signature for delivery or collection.

Otherwise, standard delivery procedures apply.

To minimise the risk of contracting or spreading coronavirus, parcels no longer require a signature for delivery or collection. ( AAP: Dan Himbrechts )

In all cases — whether a postie delivers a package to your door, or you head into the local post office to pick it up yourself — your name will be recorded and the delivery will be acknowledged in their system.

"The customer will still need to be present for this to occur, but contact will be minimised by either leaving the parcel at the door until the driver or postie has left the premises or left for the customer to pick up on the counter," Australia Post advised in its domestic updates.

Could my package be carrying coronavirus?

While the coronavirus can survive for hours, and in some cases days, outside a host (depending on the type of surface it's on), Ms Holgate says there's no evidence of it being transmitted via letters or parcels.

She says people should remain "comfortable" in receiving their parcels.

"We're one postal organisation, there are about 165 in the world, and I'm pleased to report there's no evidence that the virus survives on letters or parcels," she said.

"Clearly, we want people to take precautions, we're very big on sanitisers and safety and washing hands, but there is no evidence.

"So people should remain comfortable in receiving their parcels and mail."