In order to reduce the risk of infection with the corona virus, DHL, dpd and Co. introduced contactless delivery - but everything is not allowed.
- In order to minimize the risk of infection with the corona virus, parcel services have switched to contactless delivery.
- A signature of the recipient during parcel delivery is largely avoided.
- Nevertheless, deliverers have to provide "evidence" of successful delivery.
NRW - Experts currently estimate the risk of being infected with the corona virus solely via the surface of a package *. However, the coronavirus spreads especially when people get too close. RUHR24.de * reports that parcel deliverers want to avoid this by contactless handover .
Corona virus: Parcel delivery if possible without contact
Corona viruses are released into the air by infected people via droplets that arise when coughing, sneezing, but also when speaking. The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) informs those who then inhale these and so ingest the viruses through the mucous membranes of the nose or mouth.
Direct contact, for example when signing on the scanners of parcel carriers, is therefore increasingly being avoided when delivering parcels . This is to reduce the risk of infection. However, contactless delivery must be documented by the delivery agent.
Parcel delivery only under supervision despite corona virus
In any case, simply leaving the package unnoticed in the garden or in the hallway is not allowed, according to the Consumer Advice Center in North Rhine-Westphalia . Parcels must always be delivered "under supervision". In other words, the recipient must notice that a package has been delivered. At best, this is also documented by the deliverer.
Parcel carriers have various options for documenting successful parcel delivery . In addition, another variant for the delivery agent, which should be used especially in times of the corona virus, is to obtain the recipient's consent in advance for storing the package.
Parcel delivery variants
These types of package delivery are allowed:
- Signature by the parcel carrier
- Obtain parking permit
- Take photo evidence
When signing by the parcel carrier , the suppliers waive the signature of the recipient of the delivery. Instead, the parcel carriers themselves sign and confirm their successful delivery with their signature.
The parcel carrier should be signed in the presence of the recipient, according to the consumer advice center in North Rhine-Westphalia.
Corona virus: Issue permission to store packages
The recipient of a package issues the parking permit before the package is actually delivered. With many parcel delivery services, recipients can specify a safe storage location. The recipients of the goods usually give their permission to park the parcel at this location online with a few clicks on the delivery service side.
Corona virus: Parcel services have been busy for weeks.
© Bernd Wustneck / dpa
Also DHL recommends that in times of coronavirus specify if possible a location or to have the package delivered to a packing station. In this way, direct contact can be completely avoided.
#Receiving and sending parcels without contact: This is possible at our over 4,500 #pack stations! By 2021 we will expand our network to 7,000 packing stations! Not yet registered as a customer? https://t.co/UbnoyhiR76 #DHL pic.twitter.com/K92EseKPmB
- DHL Paket (@DHLPaket) April 14, 2020Parcel delivery: Storage only in a safe place
However, recipients should note that "when the parcel is deposited at the agreed place, liability for it passes to it," said consumer advocates. If the parcel carrier places the parcel in the entrance as agreed, and the parcel disappears from there during the day, the messenger no longer has to stand up straight.
At the present time, the possibility is increasingly being used to produce photo evidence of successful parcel delivery . On the one hand, the parcel carrier can have the recipient sign on the parcel that he has received it and then photograph the signature.
Corona virus: Photo proof when delivery is successful
Another possibility is that the parcel carrier takes a photo of the parcel when it is put down. However, even in times of coronavirus, filing must take place under the supervision of the recipient, explains Consumer Protection NRW. Any other handover of the package can also be documented by the deliverer with a photo. The photos serve as proof of successful delivery for the dealer.
In addition, damage to a package must always be reported immediately to the supplier and the dealer. If transport damage is only discovered after unpacking, it must be reported to the delivery service within seven days.
msp
* RUHR24.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital editors network.
List of rubric lists: © Monika Skolimowska / dpa
