LONDON: British postal operator Royal Mail, which has been delivering mail for more than 500 years, announced plans Wednesday to collect parcels from UK homes in the wake of the pandemic.

“The new service — Parcel Collect — means postmen and postwomen will now be able to collect parcels as well as deliver them on their daily round,” the former state-run company said in a statement.

The company has experienced a surge in parcel deliveries as Covid-19 fuels online shopping.

Parcel Collect will pick up a maximum of five packages per address, avoiding the need to visit a postbox or postal office.

Each item will be collected for 72 pence (94 US cents, 79 euro cents), in addition to postage costs and following an online booking. The new service will also collect pre-paid return items for 60 pence each.