How to Handle Package Delivery During Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Online shopping is booming. With the COVID-19 virus keeping most of the country at home, consumers are ordering items online that they would normally get at the store, such as groceries, household items, and even clothing. Data analytics firm Quantum Metric found that online clothing revenue is already up 43% since the first week of January, and the average order value went up 26%. 

People who are in quarantine or practicing social distancing are doing more online shopping during the coronavirus pandemic since it enables them to safely shop from home, avoiding person to person transmission. Many consumers, however, may wonder if the virus can spread via cardboard boxes to themselves and/or mail carriers. Is it safe to receive mail in shipping boxes?

Here are our recommendations on how to best handle package delivery with regard to Coronavirus Disease control and prevention. 

Are Cardboard Boxes Safe from Coronavirus?

Consumers are generally not putting themselves in danger by ordering items and accepting packages. In fact, it is a safer method for getting goods than going to a retail store. Both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have indicated that the likelihood of catching the virus from touching surfaces like shipping boxes is unlikely. Elizabeth McGraw, director of the Center for Infection Disease Dynamics at Pennsylvania State University states, “If we had transmission via packages, we would have seen immediate global spread out of China early in the outbreak. We did not see that and therefore I think the risk is incredibly low.”  

The life span of the virus on a surface depends on a variety of factors, including the surrounding temperature, humidity, and type of surface. Shipping conditions make it difficult for the virus to survive long-term because the virus survives better in higher humidity, moderate temperature and no wind.  Those conditions certainly usually don’t exist for packages that are shipped long distances. The novel coronavirus has a viral envelope, which is a fat layer that protects viral particles as they travel in the air. But that sheath dries out after some time, killing the virus. Even if someone who was infected with the virus were to cough or sneeze on the package, it is very unlikely that the virus could be viable enough to infect you.

Cleaning Your Packages

Even though the chances of contracting the virus from a package delivery are low, if you are still concerned about transmission, take steps to clean packages and any surfaces they touch. The first step is to wipe down packages with disinfectant like Lysol or bleach. Cleaning solutions should contain 62% to 71% ethanol alcohol, 0.5% hydrogen peroxide, or 0.1% sodium hypochlorite. These disinfectants work within seconds, but you can wait a few minutes after wiping it down to be sure.   

For subscription boxes, you may want to remove the products from the shipping package and throw the box away immediately. The products have been in the packaging for some time, so the inside products are not a source of infection of the COVID-19 virus. If you want to be extra careful, you can wipe them as well and use gloves when cleaning.

If in Doubt, Leave It

Another way to lessen the chance of transmission is to leave the package in a remote location or in the garage for a few days before you open it. While you might be very tempted to see what came in this month’s subscription box, wait a couple of days before opening to ensure that it is safe. Wash your hands thoroughly after picking up the package and opening it. And of course, don’t touch your face while opening the box and its contents. You may also choose to wipe down the box and the items inside even after leaving it for a few days.   

Now more than ever, we need to be able to receive packages safely. If you clean the box and your hands after handling, there is little risk when receiving a cardboard shipping box in the mail. Plus, you’ll be supporting a business throughout a difficult time while still getting something that you can look forward to arriving at your front door.