As millions of Canadians work from home and prepare to head into the second month of social distancing orders, they've most likely run out of shows to binge-watch on Netflix, they've already tried their hand at baking banana bread, and they're sick and tired of at-home workouts.

This is why more Canadians are turning to online shopping to get what they need (not to mention pass the time) — with over 1.8 million orders delivered through Canada Post on Monday alone. The postal agency says that's comparable to the biggest delivery days they see during the Christmas season.


READ: Nearly 7 Million Canadians Worked From Home in the Final Week of March

"We are working hard to respond in a responsible manner, putting the safety of our people, and the communities we serve, first," said Canada Post in a statement.

Customers are being warned to expect delays with their parcel deliveries due to the heavy incoming parcel volumes combined with the implemented safety measures in processing facilities.

These measures include implementing physical distancing in facilities that were never designed for keeping people two metres apart.

Canada Post also says customers should expect some other changes in parcel delivery:

  • Parcel delivery: Signatures at the door are no longer required. Delivery personnel will use the 'knock, drop and go' approach to delivering parcels which means they will knock or ring the doorbell, find the safest location available to drop off the item, and then leave.
  • Parcel pickup at the post office: For parcel pickup at the post office, the 15-day hold period has been suspended and parcels will not be returned-to-sender so that customers who may be ill or self-isolating can pick up their parcels when it is safe to do so. Physical-distancing measures have been implemented in post offices and clear plastic guards have been installed at the counters.
  • "We thank Canadians for their continued patience and support for the measures we’ve put in place for everyone’s safety," reads a statement from Canada Post. "Please continue to provide our people with at least two metres of space when you see them out in the community or at a post office."

    Customers are encouraged to track their parcels online through canadapost.ca or the Canada Post app.

    Toronto