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Is it safe to open mail and packages during the pandemic?

Health experts say the risks are very low that COVID-19 will remain on envelopes or packages and infect anyone who handles them.

Is it safe to open mail and packages during the pandemic?

There is no evidence that COVID-19 is spreading through mail or parcels, according to the World Health Organization and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Most of it is spread from droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes, which are inhaled by people nearby.

Health experts say the risks are very low that COVID-19 will remain on envelopes or packages and infect anyone who handles them.

It's still a good idea to wash your hands thoroughly and regularly — and avoid touching your face — after handling deliveries.

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Like many businesses, the U.S. Postal Service has limited visitors to its facilities and asks that anyone who comes to the post office to stand at least 6 feet away from another person.

The Postal Service said it has a dedicated Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Command Response leadership team that is focusing on employee and customer safety in conjunction with operational and business continuity during this unprecedented epidemic. The United States Postal Service said it continues to follow the strategies and measures recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and public health departments.

The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death. 

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