To reduce health risks associated with COVID-19, officials with the United States Postal Service (USPS) say they are temporarily modifying customer signature capture procedures as part of a social distancing initiative.

A statement from USPS says “While maintaining a safe, appropriate distance, employees will request the customer’s first initial and last name so that the employee can enter the information on the electronic screen or hard copy items such as return receipts, PS Forms 3811 and 3829.

“For increased safety, employees will politely ask the customer to step back a safe distance or close the screen door/door so that they may leave the item in the mail receptacle or appropriate location by the customer door.”

In your Post Office, customers are being limited to 10 persons at a time. There may be lines on the floor in the lobby of your Post Office, to help customers maintain a 6-foot distance in the queue to the service desk. There may also be a plastic barrier or shield (like those found in grocery stores), to protect the employee and customer. Once you place you package on the desk or counter, the USPS retail associate will ask you to step back while they process your transaction.

The CDC (Centers for Disease Control & prevention), the World Health Organization (WHO) and Surgeon General, have all indicated there is currently NO EVIDENCE that COVID-19 is being spread through mail and packages.