It is quite clear that the coronavirus has made an undeniable impact on our daily lives. The amount of information flowing through the media has people running rampant. Meanwhile, everyone is trying to figure out the best ways to prepare themselves in any way they can. 

Social distancing, isolation and self-quarantine have caused people to over-prepare for the worst. People are clearing the shelves of household cleaning products, perishable foods and almost everything else at grocery stores and even some online retailers are struggling to remain stocked. However, package delivery services are working diligently to keep operations moving forward as best as possible, though the higher volume combined with airline restrictions are adding complexity and delaying last-mile deliveries.

The CDC and local health authorities have released information to stop the spread of germs, specific disinfectants to use against the virus, recommendations for cleaning and disinfecting, encourage social distancing and much more. 

Everyday activities that become a habit, like checking the mail and picking up a package, need extra precautions at times like this. Even though there are no set guidelines concerning COVID-19 and package management, and there is little evidence that the virus can be transmitted via mail and packages, it is important to be as diligent as possible. 

Regardless of what type of package management you have on-site, it never hurts to be safe. Here are a few practical tips for onsite teams and residents to keep in mind when it comes to managing packages during these unprecedented times:

• Wash Your Hands. You should wash your hands for at least 20-30 seconds. For hand sanitizer, make sure that it contains at least 60% alcohol and rub it into your hands for 20 seconds to ensure full coverage. And please be sure to wash your hands immediately after handling boxes and mail. 
• Wear Gloves. To even better protect your chances from getting sick, protective gloves can also be worn. Keep in mind that gloves should be changed out and disposed of before moving onto the next task. Also, remember the gloves could now be contaminated, so please be sure to not touch your face, eyes or mouth even with gloved hands. 
• Sanitize and Disinfect. Wiping down packages right when coming into contact with them can also increase your chances of staying protected. Use disinfectant wipes or even disinfectant spray to help eliminate any potential germs.
• Don’t Wait to Open. Opening packages immediately and wiping down the product after unpackaging can further reduce any risk. We get this seems strange but consider that your package and the items within that package have been touched by numerous hands, it doesn’t hurt to practice extra precautions. 
• Dispose of Trash Immediately. Taking outside packaging to be disposed of in the community recycling or trash receptacle immediately after unboxing can help keep pesky germs from spreading.  
• Have Residents Request No-Contact Delivery. No-contact delivery entails the package being delivered to a secure location and notifying the recipient once the delivery provider has left. This works for communities that don’t have a centralized package management system such as a secure package room or lockers as well as for  residents who are now ordering more food deliveries. 
• Keep Open Access. As more leasing offices close, further eliminate any extra face-to-face interactions, including with package carriers who need to access package rooms or apartment homes. If you have a gated community, consider keeping your doors open during business hours so you can further practice social distancing. 

Keeping yourself as safe and prepared as possible is key at times like this. As everyone stays inside and resorts to online ordering, both onsite teams and residents need to make sure the lifeline that package delivery has turned into does not change into an added risk.