US Government Deems USPS, Shipping Carriers an Essential Service

No, the United States Postal Service will not be shutting down during the Coronavirus pandemic. Now, the government has officially weighed in. In a memorandum published last week, the Department of Homeland Security deemed USPS and other  shipping carriers as essential services that must remain operational during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Shipping Carriers and Transportation & Logistics Companies Are All Deemed Essential

Transportation and logistics companies are critical to our nation’s infrastructure. They transport essential items such as medical supplies, food, and other household necessities to suppliers, retailers, and consumers’ doorsteps. Therefore, the government has decreed that these companies must remain operational during this time. Due to this, all shipping carriers will still deliver during the Coronavirus pandemic. This includes USPS, UPS, FedEx, and smaller, regional carriers.

So far, the Postal Service is only experiencing minimal service disruptions, and the organization is reviewing contingency plans should lockdowns worsen across the United States.

What Are the Other Essential Services That Will Remain Operational?

Transportation and logistics aren’t the only essential services that the government requires to remain open during this time. Other services include grocery stores, pharmacies, hospitals, and large-scale retail and eCommerce operations such as Walmart. According to the Department of Homeland Security, these types of businesses have a “special responsibility” to maintain normal work schedules.

The United States DHS provided the following quote in their memorandum:

“If you work in a critical infrastructure industry, as defined by the Department of Homeland Security, such as healthcare services and pharmaceutical and food supply, you have a special responsibility to maintain your normal work schedule.”

For the full list of essential service businesses, check out Department of Homeland Security’s Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce.