Canada Post warns of delays due to 'Christmas-level' parcel volumes

Canada Post says high volumes of parcels are causing delays due to increased online shopping related to coronavirus isolation.

“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,” the company wrote in a news release.

“We are working hard to respond in a responsible manner, putting the safety of our people, and the communities we serve, first.”

The company added that the high volume of incoming parcels along with safety measures that they have put into place such as physical distancing are causing the delay.

Canada Post said it has recently been delivering in record numbers and delivered over 1.8 million parcels on Monday.

A “knock, drop and go” approach has been implemented by the company to reduce interactions with customers and practice social distancing. The approach means that signatures are not needed at the door and quickens delivery times.

Parcels requiring ID that are at the post office for pickup won’t be returned-to-sender for the time being as the 15-day hold period has been suspended.

Customers who are self-isolating or feeling ill are asked to hold off from trips to the post office.

“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. We’ve put physical-distancing measures in our post offices and installed clear plastic guards at the counter.”