Fury across UK as Royal Mail parcels delivery delayed amid coronavirus outbreak

Britons have been left furious after Royal Mail delayed the delivery of thousands of parcels and increased the price of stamps amid the coronavirus pandemic.

From today, Royal Mail is increasing the cost of 1st class stamps from 70 to 76p and 2nd class from 61p to 65p despite delays of up to a week. 

The postal service is battling unprecedented levels of sickness as the UK’s coronavirus death toll reached 335 today with 54 more deaths reported this afternoon.

Thousands of postmen and women are having to self-isolate because they have symptoms or live with someone who is vulnerable of dying from the virus. 

This has left less staff available to deliver packages and has resulted in widespread delays. 

Yesterday many were beside themselves that their elderly relatives had not received Mother’s Day cards and took to social media to vent their anger. 

Families are being forced to rely on postal deliveries if they are unable to see one another.  

Thousands of staff at the postal service are having to self-isolate after showing symptoms similar to those of the coronavirus 

Royal Mail is now increasing the cost of 1st class stamps from 70 to 76p and 2nd class from 61p to 65p 

One person wrote: ‘@RoyalMailHelp my delivery is late and due today.’ 

While another posted: ‘@RoyalMail trackings not working and my parcel is a week late.’ 

Someone else tweeted: ‘@RoyalMailHelp my order has been delayed been 3 days since it was supposed to arrive any reason?’ 

Another person fumed: ‘I’m not a fool, but I am commenting on my personal experience of my local postal service, recorded delivery items with a card pushed through the door without them knocking, parcels with the re-delivery date changed, 1st post card arriving 5 days late! Emails going unanswered.’ 

As the number of confirmed cases in the UK spirals, postal workers have been ordered to leave parcels on customers’ doorsteps instead of handing them over in a bid to avoid spreading coronavirus.

Royal Mail workers have been told to stop handing over deliveries face-to-face and to take a step back, it emerged yesterday.

Under the new rules, postmen and women are also under strict instruction not to let customers sign electronically for packages themselves. Instead ‘signed for’ items are being ticked off by postal staff. 

Royal Mail did not comment on package delays but said they are doing all they can to fight the spread of the virus and reassure customers.  

Yesterday many were beside themselves that their elderly relatives had not received Mother’s Day cards and took to social media to vent their anger

Stephen Agar, Managing Director of Letters told MailOnline in a statement: ‘Royal Mail fully understands the devastating impact of the coronavirus outbreak on families, businesses and communities across the UK. 

‘We understand the important role we have to play in helping people to stay connected. 

‘These price increases, which were announced some time ago, are needed to help ensure we can maintain and invest in the Universal Postal Service. 

‘The Universal Postal Service provides a lifeline to businesses and communities across the UK. Royal Mail is operating in a challenging business environment. 

‘We have considered any pricing changes very carefully and in doing so have sought to minimise any impact on our customers.’

‘The postal service is a key part of the UK’s infrastructure. The delivery of parcels and letters is a key way of keeping the country together and helping many people who may not have the option to leave their homes. We are working hard to deliver the UK’s mail in difficult circumstances.’