Australia Post has announced it has worked with the Victorian Government to ensure post offices and parcel deliveries remain operational during its 200 per cent spike in parcel deliveries across Melbourne due to the state’s Stage 4 lockdown restrictions.
The organisation confirmed Australia Post will be exempt from Victoria’s Stage 4 lockdown rules in order to avoid major delays across the state and country.
“We have worked with the Victorian Government to ensure that our post offices remain open and that our deliveries – our posties and drivers across Victoria – remain on the road,” An Australian Post spokesperson said on Monday.
From 11:59 pm on Sunday 9 August Melbourne warehouse and distribution centre worksites must not operate with more than 67 per cent of their daily peak and daily total workforce.
However, Business Victoria stated on its website that there are exceptions to the reduced operational requirement for supermarket warehouses and those that distribute certain medical devices and consumables.
“For our delivery and parcel facilities in metropolitan Melbourne only, we will have a 10 per cent daily workforce reduction, coupled with split shifts in a COVID-safe environment, ensuring cleaning between shifts and a COVID Safe Plan,” An Australian Post spokesperson said.
MHD Supply Chain News understands that Australia Post will expect some delays as the national organisation works through Stage 4 restrictions and sets up its operations accordingly.
Australia Post reported that parcel deliveries are up approximately 200 per cent in Melbourne hotspots due to government stay at home orders that came into effect on Sunday August 2.
Christine Holgate, Australia Post CEO, told Australian Financial Review that the organisation delivers medicine to home for pharmacies including Chemist Warehouse and described current distribution “like a Suez Canal coming down a drainpipe”.
“Australia Post is the backbone of many online retailers in Australia who rely on it for the delivery side of their businesses and the crucial ‘last mile’ to households,” she said.
“We thank the Victorian Government for their consideration and support to ensure the community receive the essential services they need in a timely fashion,” An Australian Post spokesperson said.