Thanks to COVID-19, parcel delivery volumes are at pre-Christmas levels

With many Canadians isolating at home and shopping more online, Canada Post is now processing and delivering parcels at levels only experienced during the busiest weeks of the Christmas season.

"We are working hard to respond in a responsible manner, putting the safety of our people, and the communities we serve, first," said Canada Post in a news release.

Canada Post is advising customers across the country to expect delays with their parcel deliveries. The heavy incoming parcel volumes, combined with the important safety measures implemented in processing facilities, mean it is taking longer to process. Those measures include physical distancing in facilities that were never designed for keeping people two metres apart.

"We continue to operate across the country and have been delivering in record numbers," said Canada Post, in a press release.

"For example, on Monday, April 20, we delivered more than 1.8 million parcels to Canadians. That's similar to the biggest delivery days we see during the Christmas season. Customers should continue to track their parcels online through canadapost.ca or the Canada Post app."

Canada Post continues to provide an essential service to Canadians as everyone does their part to stop the spread of the virus, said the press release.

The agency has put safety as its top priority, which has meant implementing significant changes across operations, following the guidance of national and local public health authorities.

Other important changes regarding parcels:

Parcel Delivery: To eliminate customer interactions at the door, reduce post office customer traffic and support social and physical distancing, Canada Post has implemented a Knock, Drop and Go approach. Delivery employees knock or ring, choose the safest location available to leave the item and then depart for the next address. This change eliminates the need for signatures at the door, speeds up delivery and has greatly reduced the number of parcels sent to our post offices for pickup.

Parcel pickup at post office: For the remaining parcels left at the post office for pickup (items requiring ID), they will not be returned-to-sender until further notice. Canada Post has suspended their normal 15-day hold period. They are asking 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. Physical-distancing measures have been implemented in post offices and clear plastic guards have been installed at the counter.

"We thank Canadians for their continued patience and support for the measures we've put in place for everyone's safety," said Canada Post. "Please continue to provide our people with at least two metres of space when you see them out in the community or at a post office."

For a full list of the changes and other updates related to COVID-19, visit canadapost.ca and click on the banner at the top of the page.