Many post offices will open an hour later and close one earlier

Postal workers will knock or ring, choose the safest location to leave items

Decision is meant to support social and physical distancing orders across the country

OTTAWA (NEWS 1130) – Canada Post is implementing a knock-drop-and-go delivery approach to eliminate customer interactions at front doors amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The decision is meant to support social and physical distancing orders across the country.

“Our goal is to continue providing timely and reliable service. But to be safe, give our people time and manage potential challenges, we have suspended on on-time delivery guarantees for all parcel services, until further notice,” says a release from Canada Post.

As for the new delivery approach, postal employees will knock on doors or ring bells, choose the safest location available to leave items, then leave for the next address.

“This change eliminates the need for signatures at the door and greatly reduces the number of parcels sent to our post offices for pick-up,” says Canada Post.

We have made changes to our delivery operations and retail postal network to keep our people and our communities safe. Read our latest statement here: https://t.co/8osnBry2eE pic.twitter.com/tHqjiAHfOr — Canada Post (@canadapostcorp) March 23, 2020

Items that require proof of age, identification or customs payments will be sent directly from depots to a retail post office for pick-up, with no restrictions on when customers can collect them.

“Please give our employees space and avoid opening the door or greeting them personally when they are at the door to deliver, or filling a community mailbox,” says Canada Post.

Customers will receive a delivery notice card in their mail, letting them know which post office is holding items for pickup.

Furthermore, many post offices will open an hour later and close one earlier, allowing staff to clean and restock.

As well, for the first hour of each day, Canada Post will offer priority service to those who are elderly or more vulnerable.

“We are working to keep our post offices open, but some may close due to building closures beyond our control, and some smaller locations may close due to personnel reasons. In these cases, we will direct customers to the nearest operating post office,” says Canada Post.

To help with physical distancing, Canada Post is also asking customers to space themselves two metres apart. It also plans to add signage and floor decals at larger post offices. Smaller offices will limit the number of customers allowed inside.

“We are also working on clear barriers for the counter to increase safety,” says Canada Post.

As for transactions, cash will still be accepted but payment using the tap function on debit or credit cards is encouraged where possible.

Parcels left at post offices for pickup will not be returned-to-sender until further notice.

“We’ve suspended our normal 15-day hold period. We ask that customers who are feeling ill or self-isolating, to please delay their visit to the post office and to pick up their parcel when it’s safe to do so,” says Canada Post.