Alliance Alert–USPS & Coronavirus 3/23/20
Alerts
This is an update on United States Postal Service and coronavirus issues.
- Mail is safe. In an updated statement on their Service Alerts page, the USPS has indicated that “there is currently no evidence that COVID-19 is being spread through the mail.”
- Service is normal. Also on the Service Alerts page and consistent with our discussions with them: “The Postal Service has so far experienced only minor operational impacts in the United States as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
- Our private sector partners and suppliers provide essential services. At our suggestion, USPS released an “Essential Industry Letter.” In states and localities that have ordered all non-essential businesses closed, some mail service providers have been told they must close. Several have applied for and received waivers and remain open. But as more states order closures, as Massachusetts just did, the issue is likely to continue. Also, some employees of USPS and essential private sector service providers have been stopped by law enforcement. We asked USPS to notify all states of the essential status of the entire mail supply chain and they are working on that. In the meantime, it is a good idea to have all employees who need to commute carry a copy of the attached “Essential Industry Letter.” (At our suggestion, USPS is working on a signed version of the “Essential Industry Letter.”) The Department of Homeland Security Guidance on essential services can be found here. It includes the line: “Postal and shipping workers, to include private companies.”
- USPS FAQs can be found here: https://faq.usps.com/s/
- Direct all questions and comments for USPS to: IndustryFeedback@usps.gov, with the subject line Covid-19.
- Voting by mail is gaining widespread support. This is one example of the importance of postal mail binding our nation together.
We will continue to advocate on behalf of nonprofit mailers and communicate to you the latest developments during this time of crisis.