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

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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.

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

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Citation: Is it safe to open mail and packages during the pandemic? (2020, April 16) retrieved 24 April 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-04-safe-mail-packages-pandemic.html
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