No Known Coronavirus Transmissions From Picking Up Your Mail

Paul Scicchitano
·2 min read

MIAMI, FL — While some people have been reluctant to handle their mail amid the coronavirus outbreak, it appears there is little science to back those fears up.

"The CDC, WHO, as well as the Surgeon General have indicated there is currently no evidence that COVID-19 is being spread through mail and packages," explained Debra J. Fetterly of the U.S. Postal Service.

She said mail and package deliveries have continued throughout the health crisis though the Postal Service has made some adjustments to comply with social distancing guidelines.

"Customers shouldn’t approach a carrier to take a delivery, instead allowing them to leave the mailbox area before collecting it," Fetterly said. "Most schools are not in session and children should also be encouraged to not approach a postal vehicle or carrier."

Mail Processor Nicole Bond wears a mask and gloves at the Miami Processing and Distribution Center. Via USPS
Mail Processor Nicole Bond wears a mask and gloves at the Miami Processing and Distribution Center. Via USPS

If a delivery requires a signature, carriers will knock on your door rather than ring the bell.

"They will maintain a safe distance, and instead of asking for a signature on the mobile device, they’ll ask for a name," Fetterly said. "The carrier will leave the mail or package in a safe place for retrieval."

The Postal Service has more than 600,000 employees throughout the United States involved with processing, transporting and delivering mail and packages.

Here are some additional measures the Postal Service has taken:

  • Distributing millions of masks, gloves and sanitizing products to employees.

  • Arranging shipments of sanitizing and cleaning products to more than 30,000 locations every day.

  • Reinforcing workplace behaviors to make sure that contact among employees and customers reflects the best guidance regarding healthy interactions, social distancing and risk minimization.

  • Posting signs, social distancing markers and cough/sneeze barriers at retail facilities and mail processing facilities.

  • Making sure cleaning is performed in accordance with CDC guidance.

The Postal Service has released the following videos on coronavirus measures that have been put in place at mail stores and among mail carriers:

  • COVID-19 Help Us Serve You – Retail

  • COVID-19 Help Us Serve You – Carriers

This article originally appeared on the Miami Patch