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Pushing the Envelope Blog

Operating During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Date: 04/06/20 | Category: OIG

The global pandemic of COVID-19 has impacted our country in ways that were unimaginable months ago. It is changing how people across the U.S. and around the world are working, shopping, even interacting with one another. States have ordered many stores and businesses to close. Businesses that continue to operate are faced with protecting their employees and customers, while coming up with creative ways to market and deliver their products.

The Postal Service continues to serve the public, operating on the front line, fulfilling the universal service obligation to deliver to every house and business every day. USPS is finding itself serving a population that is relying on it now more than ever. For many home-bound and quarantined people, home delivery is the only source for medicine and other vital supplies. During this time, the Postal Service has also prioritized the safety of its employees and customers.

We recognize the reality of the pandemic and have adapted our operations to maintain continuity while ensuring the safety of our employees. We are taking abundant care to minimize exposure to both our employees and Postal Service employees, using technology whenever possible. As we have told our employees, we also ask you to follow CDC guidelines, remain home as much as possible, and stay safe.

For questions or concerns about delivery during the pandemic, please go to usps.com to track mail or get information from the USPS Coronavirus FAQs page.

Postal Service employees, for work-related complaints or issues, please use our Hotline to let us know.

Leave a Comment

Your Name
dan fuscaldo
Jul 13, 2020
Your Comment
hi i had a parcel sent from the united kingdom on july 2 it arrived here in the united states fast but now it has been processed on july 5th in isc chicago and it has not updated at all! The last update was on july 5th today is july 13th ! why has it been processed in isc chicago 8 days ago and yet I still have not even had a new update? I think that it is pretty unprofessional to not at least scan it again so that I know that my package is safe! Is this normal right now for a parcel to take 8 days so far at isc chicago?
  
Your Name
Dan McNamee
Jul 13, 2020
Your Comment
I am in the same boat, received and cleared through Chicago, released to post office on July 5. Was supposed to arrive on July 9, date came and went, and no updates since.
     
Your Name
Megan
Jul 15, 2020
Your Comment
My package from Germany ($$$$$) has been sitting at Chicago customs since 5/30 with no movement. There is nothing I can do other that sweat and pull my hair out. Good luck.
        
Your Name
Ava Seabury
Jul 16, 2020
Your Comment
I ordered 2 vanities from China which stated it is sent from the United states. I received my so called package on july 10th 2020. How was I to know that my package was a very small package, not 2 vanities it was a dreadlock hair piece which I didn't order but the package stated it was a scarf no scarf. Track this package many times always was on the way. I wasn't so upset about the money of course that's a concern, but the was for my great granddaughters May 8th was the oldest (7) and the youngest Turning (6) on the 23rd of July. It's been so long ago I saved all transactions to my phone checked it all was well until I snap shot the info, then tried and it was error, can't open file went to clip board it was 404 error. I still have everything recorded. Got invoice thanking me for purchasing the vanities now can't open file. What a RIP off no trace of it.

     
Your Name
Gina
Jul 15, 2020
Your Comment
Same here. It is a package from China. Tracking said it went to Jamaica, NY and now at O'Hare in Chicago for 3 days. I live in Missouri. I did get a USPS tracking number but all it says is:
Merchant Order Receipt Notification, USPS Awaiting Item. I am very confused.
     
Your Name
Joel Cohen
Jul 15, 2020
Your Comment
You think that’s bad? I’ve had one at Chicago ISC since June 7th. Zero movement, zero updates.
     
Your Name
Amy
Jul 21, 2020
Your Comment
Exactly same dates and problem- seems like the oig might want to make a visit to chicago
  
Your Name
Wesley C
Jul 13, 2020
Your Comment
Same issue here.
  
Your Name
Captin Tripps
Jul 14, 2020
Your Comment
My package is sitting next to yours in customs lol. Mine has also been there since the 5th and its the 14th now. No movement
  
Your Name
shirley
Jul 15, 2020
Your Comment
Same here, but my package was received on June 14... it seems this is an ongoing issue
  
Your Name
P.J. Mullins
Jul 15, 2020
Your Comment
Mine was shipped from the UK on 5/15, arrived in Chicago 5/20 and here we are on 7/15 and there it still sits.
     
Your Name
Heather Bryant
Jul 16, 2020
Your Comment
Mine was due to be delivered the 13 of July, waiting impatiently since its something I need for my business. Amazon got me a package from the UK in 3 weeks!
  
Your Name
Jonathon Sydla
Jul 15, 2020
Your Comment
yeah, me too. still waiting from the 5th. i guess misery loves company. good to know.
  
Your Name
MDog
Jul 15, 2020
Your Comment
Yep. My package took two days to make it to the States from Korea.
Now it sits in "USORDA" (a.k.a. Chicago). Been there since July 4th. It's now July 16th.
  
Your Name
Charlotte Clark
Jul 15, 2020
Your Comment
I've had the same problem, my package was shipped from Korea. It's been sitting for a while now, the expected delivery date came and went.
  
Your Name
tim
Jul 17, 2020
Your Comment
My package left the UK on June 9th and that is all usps.com shows. I'm not sure if it is the USA or not. Today is July 17!
  
Your Name
John
Jul 18, 2020
Your Comment
Mine was processed in ISC NY and after one week, showed up in Florida and then it came back to NY. This was in June....

I am waiting now one week for a package that is in transit from Florida but no one can tell me where Transit it is.
Your Name
Laura
Jul 11, 2020
Your Comment
Hi, I mailed 4 packages in May.
-One package to the UK on May 5 arrived by May 11. This was fast.
-Two packages mailed on May 5 which say “forwarded abroad” to Austria (from Miami) on May 9. No update since then.
-The last package “ready for international transport” to Austria (from Miami) on May 26. No update since then.
I was just wondering if perhaps packages to central and Eastern Europe have gone by boat? Since it has been over two months without an update, I just wanted to check if my theory that they are on a boat is possible. Usually my packages arrive quickly and have never lost one or had a delay, so I assume all three have gone via ship because it’s unlikely those three would be lost. I understand Covid has changed some of the routes and times but would like to at least know if USPS are using sea transport and how long it takes.
Your Name
Thomas John
Jul 11, 2020
Your Comment
We got it, and understand the current excuse for ISC Miami, FL untimely delays for processing mail. But there is BC (before CV 19) and AC (after CV 19) and nothing has really changed, it's the same untimely service.
I would appreciate knowing what causes week long delays? The US Post Office is an amazing organization
with service second to none. So I can help wondering WHATS UP with ISC service? Thank you, and wishing All
health a safety for now and always.
Your Name
Giovanni Cassano
Jul 10, 2020
Your Comment
I live in MA and in my experience in the last 3 months of Covid things slowed down for understandable reasons. We all know what`s going on, so I am no surprised and do not complain about it. But I noticed that everything that transit thru PA falls in a black hole and delayed an extra 4 to 5 days at least (1 items 2 weeks delay) Philly or Pittsburgh the main problems. I did not have any of these extra delays with packages not transiting thru PA. So for me Pennsylvania has clearly some severe organisational issues that go way beyond the current pandemic. Hope USPS will deal with PA because so far has been a real bottleneck in the East Coast.
  
Your Name
Tina
Jul 21, 2020
Your Comment
I’ve been waiting for a package that was dropped at the Lancaster, PA location on May 24 and it’s been stuck “in transit” ever since that day and another has been stuck “in transit” at the very same location since June 29.
Your Name
Jeremy
Jul 10, 2020
Your Comment
was just wondering why the package i ordered is stalled out in las angeles for a month. the retailer tells me it delivered . your people tell me its in california . in another two weeks it will have been 2 months since i have ordered it. can someone shed some light on the subject other than covid.
Your Name
Neil Shapiro
Jul 9, 2020
Your Comment
Here is my question. I sent two first-class packages to Canada, and the destination is Western Canada. Now I have the tracking numbers, and the first one was shipped on June 9, 2020. The last update was June 13. I live in NY, and I know the package is going to get to JFK and get on a plane. The June 13 update says in transit to the next facility. I know there are times packages do not get scanned. I asked at my post office, and they know me. They are seeing the same thing I am seeing. Are packages going to Canada being held because of COVID, or that there is a shortage of aircraft to get packages out the country to Canada?
  
Your Name
john
Jul 10, 2020
Your Comment
I mailed a 2'x2" tube first class to Canada from LA on May 6th and it just cleared Canadian customs today July 10th.
  
Your Name
mau
Jul 13, 2020
Your Comment
i would like to know this too as i have been waiting over 1 month for something to move..