Dealing with Travel Restrictions

The Postal Service is providing employees and contractors with an “essential service provider letter” they can show to law enforcement officers in case they’re stopped and questioned during the coronavirus pandemic.

The letter explains that USPS is part of the nation’s critical infrastructure and is continuing normal operations during the pandemic.

The letter also affirms to law enforcement that postal employees and postal contractors provide an essential public service and are exempt from general quarantines and other pandemic travel restrictions issued by state and local governments.

The Postal Service advises employees and contractors to:

• Carry a Postal Service-issued identification badge and the essential service provider letter whenever they travel
• Show the postal ID and letter if stopped by law enforcement officials enforcing travel restrictions
• Explain the nature of their work for the Postal Service and the reason they’re traveling, whether they’re commuting to or from work or traveling during their workday

Employees and contractors should also carry their supervisor’s name, number and email address, in case authorities need additional information.

USPS managers and supervisors are delivering a stand up talk and distributing copies of the essential service provider letter. Employees and contractors who have not received this letter should contact their Postal Service manager, supervisor or USPS contracting officer’s representative.

The Postal Service has additional resources to help educate employees about the coronavirus pandemic on Blue and LiteBlue.