Service Updates

COVID-19: Alert Level 4 : Courier Services For Essential Businesses Only

25-Mar-2020 10:16 PM - Minal Gulabdas
COVID-19 Update - Alert Level 4 - Courier Services For Essential Businesses Only

As New Zealand goes into Alert Level 4, courier services will only be operational for essential businesses.

All non-essential senders are requested not to book any courier services as there will be no non-essential deliveries once the alert level raises. 

GoSweetSpot will be operational to facilitate the transport of essential products during this time but while the platform will remain accessible, it is the responsibility of users to ensure they follow Government guidelines when using the service. 

Again, we recommend calling the Government provided help line on 0800 779 997 for any advice around whether or not you are classed as an essential business and what specific restrictions may apply. 

 We understand this is a trying time for all, thank you for your understanding and patience. Stay safe. Keep in the bubble.


COVID-19: Sending Items

25-Mar-2020 01:38 PM - Rowan
While couriers will still be operating, any packages that cannot be delivered during the quarantine will either be returned at senders cost or held at a depot (which may incur storage fees). Please ensure your receiver is able to accept the package before sending.

COVID-19 Update: Couriers continue to deliver

24-Mar-2020 02:27 PM - Minal Gulabdas
Greetings,
 
As we all now know, New Zealand will be going to a COVID-19 escalation of level 4 within the next 24 hours. The ramifications of this is that all non-essential services will be placed into lockdown.
 
These are unsettled times and our thoughts are with those in the world who are struggling with sickness, or worse, dealing with loss of loved ones.
 
As you will be aware, many businesses will have staff working from home with the evolving situation regarding COVID-19. As a primarily IT based company, we are grateful that we can also offer this to our team and so from today all GSS staff will work from home.
 
All customer support services will continue as normal unless we are advised otherwise and emails and calls will still be responded to, as per usual.
 
You will only be able to operate out of your business address if you are classed as an essential business.
 
We recommend calling the government provided help line on 0800 779 997 for advice around this. If you are a non-essential business you are able to send from your home address as long as you comply with the government locked down regulations.
 
What we do know now, is that domestic and international couriers will continue to collect and deliver for those organisations that are able to remain open.
 
What we need from you:
  • If your business is remaining open for collection, talk to your courier and set-up collection point/s that support Government COVID–19 protocols. Collection points should allow for a social distancing protocol of 2-metres between your courier and members of your team.
  • Contact the GSS Team or local Courier Branch for any further direction or assistance.
 
If it is possible for your business to operate from your home address, the couriers will collect from your home address.
 
If you need to change your address to your home address, please follow the below steps:
 
Log into your GSS account
  1. Go to the Billing >> Change Address https://ship.gosweetspot.com/billing/changeaddress
  2. Add your new/temporary address
  3. Additional Notes: Please clearly input which Courier Provider. During this period, you will have to choose 1 primary courier.
 

This will then notify our Team of your new address. This can take up to three days to change.
 
You will be notified once the change has been actioned.
 
Once completed you will be able to book a driver to your home address.  Please do not make any bookings in the interim.
 
We ask that you please be patient with this process as I'm sure you can imagine we will be receiving hundreds of these. Our team will do their best to action these as quickly as possible. We have taken on new staff to aid with this process.
 
If you use a Thermal Printer and you need this to be set up at your home, click the below link. If you have any issues we ask if you could please email the support team and they will schedule a time to set this up for you.
 
 
Finally, please understand that things will be different for quite some while – for this reason, we are taking the time to set up our business in a way that will work for you on an ongoing basis. Please do be patient – we will be providing further updates as this situation evolves.
 
Please have confidence and be assured that we will do everything we can to support you, your customers and your business through these uncertain times.
 
Any questions or concerns please contact your GSS Account Manager.
 
 
Be safe, stay home and keep your distance.
 
Tadek Ptak.

COVID-19 Update at 5.00pm 23/03/2020

23-Mar-2020 04:57 PM - Rowan

You will by now, be aware New Zealand will be going to a COVID-19 escalation of level 4 within the next 48 hours. The ramifications of this is that all non-essential services will be placed in to lock down.

As the situation evolves, we will have more detailed updates however we wanted to confirm that couriers will be continuing to provide delivery services throughout New Zealand.

The MOT have, at this stage, deemed all transport companies as essential to keep supplies to the country open, so once we know more that information will be passed on.

Please be patient while we work through the challenges and more importantly stay safe and well.

COVID-19 Infomation

17-Mar-2020 02:43 PM - Rowan
Regarding COVID-19, many courier companies including our partners, have notified of disaster preparedness plans and are taking various actions and precautions with the evolving situation.

For example, most are implementing the below measures: 

For residential deliveries that are ‘signature required’:

1. Our couriers will knock on the door as usual and step back two metres (or as far back as possible). 
2. They will ask for the recipient’s name (to record proof of delivery) and leave the parcel on the ground in front of the receiver. The person receiving the parcel will not sign for the delivery directly. 
3. The tracking information on our website will display a clearly typed recipient’s name as well as the signature image reading CV-19 (all entered by the courier). 
4. If no one comes to the door and there is no Authority to Leave service in place, the courier will follow the standard process which is to leave a card to call and return the parcel to our depot.

Other measures like above will possibly continue to arise and affect the courier industry overall and so we appreciate your assistance and understanding during this time. 

Educating Your Own Customers (Receivers)

We strongly recommend updating your own Track and Trace emails to customers, providing them information about the above, as well suggesting they wash their hands thoroughly upon receipt of the packages. Through their journey, packages pass through a lot of hands and locations.

You can find more information from our partners on COVID-19 and their response below: