THE UK is currently on lockdown due to coronavirus, with citizens told to avoid going outside unless for work, one session of exercise or to buy essential food and medicine.
This has led to the question – is it safe to send and receive post?
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As people are urged not to leave the house, this has resulted in increasing numbers of parcels and cards being sent.
With Easter around the corner, families may be concerned about passing on coronavirus by card.
Thankfully, the virus is very unlikely to be passed through cardboard boxes or paper envelopes.
Research reveals that the virus has been detected on cardboard for just 24 hours, and decreases rapidly over time.
Your daily newspaper is fine too – virologist George Lomonossoff said: “Newspapers are pretty sterile because of the way they are printed and the process they’ve been through.
“The chances [of catching the virus] are infinitesimal.”
Professor Chris Witty added that “just touching” a surface with the virus is not enough to pass it on – but should wash your hands straight away.
He explained: “It is if you touch it and then touch your face, having not washed your hands between them.
“Don’t touch your face, wash your hands and then you can do what you like.”
A statement on the Royal Mail website explains: “We will continue providing the best delivery service for you and protect the health of our people, and our customers.
“We have provided guidance to our people to help prevent the spread of any infection. We are doing so in line with preventative guidance from Public Health Authority.”
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“We have also made a series of adjustments to our parcel handling procedures. We are keeping our ways of working under continuous review.”
If you’re still concerned, then it is advised to take a picture of your letters and then throw them away, before washing your hands, according to Human Biology and Biological Sciences lecturer Dr Perpetua Emeagi.
She warned: “While it might seem innocuous, it’s very easy to underestimate how letters and parcels could act as a carrier of coronavirus.”
A furious courier has begged Brits to stop ordering clothes and “tat” online during the coronavirus lockdown.
She said: “While you keep ordering online, workers in warehouses are risking their lives having to keep picking and packing it, and us couriers have to keep putting ourselves at risk collecting from crowded depots to deliver it.
“We understand we are key workers, and we are happy to do our job and risk our lives and the lives of others to deliver essential key items for people to survive during the lockdown.”
