According to the courier and logistics company DPD, the wide spread of the coronavirus and the high rate of contagiousness in Estonia affect the parcel delivery service, but the company is taking the necessary measures to prevent parcels from being delayed.
“Unfortunately, the current high number of infections also affects our work: a significant proportion of our nearly 260 couriers have to stay away from work now. We are currently reallocating our resources so that all regions could be served on time, and if necessary, we will recruit new couriers,” said Remo Kirss, CEO of DPD. “However, the parcels delivery will not stop, and the courier service will not be disrupted, but the time is very challenging, and some parcels may arrive a little later than usual.”
According to Kirss, to ensure faster service, DPD customers can use some options that help to organize parcel delivery more smoothly. “For example, the customer can indicate the agreed place at the delivery address, where the courier can leave the parcel quickly and conveniently: for example, on the terrace of a private house, or in front of the front door,” Kirss suggested.
Also, a good alternative now is the parcel locker service, which offers a faster and safer way to receive your shipments. “Above all, it helps to reduce contacts, but it also alleviates concerns about labour shortages,” Kirss added.
DPD constantly provides its employees with instructions on the hand hygiene, the mandatory use of masks and the importance of keeping a distance. All couriers are equipped with masks and disinfectants, and the screens of parcel lockers are constantly disinfected when filling and emptying.
“Compared to the pre-pandemic period, e-commerce has made a big growth spurt, and last year the volume of goods ordered to parcel lockers increased by more than 30%,” Kirss added. “The volume of parcel shipments at DPD increased by almost a million parcels last year, and the number of orders delivered at home by courier increased by more than half.”
To meet the growing demand, DPD installed 72 new parcel lockers all over Estonia last year and expanded 40 existing parcel lockers. “We strive to ensure that the parcel delivery service works quickly and smoothly even in these difficult times,” Kirss confirmed.
