USPS reports a historic record of mail and packages

Holiday shipping and deliveries appear to be busier than ever even with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The United States Postal Service has reported a historic record of mail and package volume this holiday season though because COVID there have been some employee shortages as well as capacity challenges with airlifts and trucking for moving the volume of mail are leading to temporary delays.

“We thank our customers for their continued support, and we are committed to making sure gifts and cards are delivered on time to celebrate the holidays,” said Kristin Seaver, Chief Retail and Delivery Officer of the Postal Service. “We also thank our 644,000 employees who are working tirelessly throughout these unique conditions to ensure the delivery of holiday gifts

and greetings.

Seaver added, “We continue to flex our network including making sure the right equipment is available to sort, process and deliver a historic volume of mail and packages this holiday season.”

In terms of the United Parcel Service ( UPS) in Mount Pleasant, business has been around 25 to 30% busier than last year.

“Everything seems to arriving on time,” Mount Pleasant UPS owner Paul Schafer said. “Everything should be arriving on Christmas Day though packages that are shipped out (today) is another story.”

Customers are required to practice social distancing when waiting in lines and the items that people have generally chosen to ship clothes and toys.

“There’s been more food items being shipped than normal,” Schafer said.

For more information, visit ups.com or usps. com.