Canada Post has announced some changes to their service at their post offices across Canada in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Here are the changes happening to their delivery operations and retail postal network, as announced Monday in a Canada Post news release:
Hours of Service: Canada Post will reduce hours of service by opening one hour later and closing one hour earlier to clean, restock and provide some relief to employees.
As well, for the first hour of each day, they will offer priority service to those whom at a higher risk — the elderly or people with compromised immune systems. Franchise-operated post offices will follow the measures put in place by franchise operators.
Canada Post says they are working to keep post offices open, but some may close due to building closures beyond their control and smaller locations may close due to personnel reasons. In these cases, customers will be directed to the nearest operating post office.
For social and physical distancing, they ask waiting customers to please space themselves two metres apart. They are working on signage and floor decals for larger post offices. For smaller offices, they are looking to limit the number of customers. They are also working on clear barriers for the counter to increase safety.
Canada Post will continue to accept cash but are encouraging customers to pay by using the “tap” function on their debit or credit cards where possible.
For parcel pickup, parcels left at the post office for pickup will not be returned-to-sender until further notice. Canada Post has suspended their normal 15-day hold period. They also ask that customers who are feeling ill or self-isolating, to please delay their visit to the post office and pick up their parcel when it’s safe to do so.
Further information can be found at www.canadapost.ca.
