(Yicai Global) Nov. 30 -- A number of Chinese express delivery couriers, including Yunda Holding and SF Holding, have recently halted operation at some of their outlets because of the impacts of sporadic Covid-19 outbreaks.

Over 4,800 Yunda stores, equal to 16 percent of the total, had ceased the distribution of express parcels as of Nov. 28 because of non-normal operation of such facilities, epidemic prevention and control, public transport adjustments, and the suspension of logistics services, mostly related to changes regarding the local epidemic situations.

China reported 4,236 symptomatic Covid-19 cases and 33,376 asymptomatic infections yesterday, the National Health Commission said yesterday. The country has been adding over 30,000 cases a day for the past seven days. The provincial-level regions mostly affected by the outbreaks are Guangdong, Beijing, Sichuan, Chongqing, and Shanxi.

SF released more than 20,000 pieces of information related to the control of the operation of its outlets from the beginning of the month to Nov. 28, most of which were regulations and restrictions targeting the distribution and reception of packages. The reasons for these notices included epidemic control measures, lockdowns of roads or cities, and confirmed Covid-19 cases and close contacts.

Forty-six SF’s announcements also included information about the firm’s competitors. “Yunda and Deppon Logistics both halted operation,” “our nearby peers have all shut down,” “JD Logistics, YTO Express Group, ZTO Express, Best Express, and Yunda have all suspended operation.” The majority of such notices did not mention the reopening date.

The impact of the suspension of package distribution is not evident, e-commerce insiders told Yicai Global. Because of the lockdowns in April and May, the couriers’ goods returning rate jumped over 30 percent, as their warehouses could not distribute packages, the sources added.

The workload of deliverymen still able to work during this time has also increased. Li Xingyue, the head of JD Logistics’ operation department in Beijing’s Ditan Park, said that during the busiest period, four to five deliverymen in his department worked from 6.00 a.m. to 11.30 p.m. every day, delivering 11,000 parcels on average each day.

Before, couriers delivered more rice, flour, grains, and oil, while now they send more cleaning supplies, fresh foods transported via cold-chain logistics, dietary supplements, and drinking water. Due to Covid-19, the delivery time has been prolonged.

Editors: Zhang Yushuo, Futura Costaglione