Package blackout: USPS temporarily halting Amazon and Walmart deliveries
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If you’re eagerly awaiting a package from Amazon or Walmart, you might want to brace yourself for a brief pause in the action.
The United States Postal Service (USPS) has announced a 24-hour closure of all its branches, and that means your much-anticipated deliveries could be temporarily “held hostage” in closed facilities.
Whether you’re expecting a birthday gift, a new gadget, or—most importantly—your vital medications, here’s what you need to know about this postal blackout, why it’s happening, and how it might affect you.
What’s Happening and When?
Mark your calendars: on June 19th, every USPS branch across the country will close its doors for a full 24 hours. This isn’t just a local hiccup—it’s a nationwide pause.
The closure is in honor of Juneteenth, the federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States.
While the intention is to celebrate a pivotal moment in American history, the practical effect is that no regular mail or packages will be delivered, and retail postal services will be unavailable.
What Does This Mean for Your Packages?
If you’ve got a package en route from Amazon, Walmart, or any other retailer relying on USPS, expect a one-day delay.
Some customers have taken to social media to joke about a day without junk mail or bills, but for others—especially those who depend on the mail for essential medications or time-sensitive documents—this pause is more than just a minor inconvenience.
The USPS has clarified that there are a few exceptions: premium Priority Mail Express and same-day package delivery services will still operate, and some facilities that are normally open on holidays may remain accessible.
Post office box access should also be available, so if you’re a P.O. box user, you might still be able to check your mail. But for the vast majority of us, it’s a 24-hour standstill.
How Are People Reacting?
As with most things these days, reactions are mixed. Some folks are shrugging it off—“All I get is bills anyway!”—while others are frustrated, especially those who rely on USPS for critical deliveries.
One concerned citizen pointed out, “Older people need their meds and depend on them.” Another customer vented online about their package being “held hostage” at the post office during a previous holiday closure.
On the flip side, there’s a sense of pride and recognition for Juneteenth finally getting the federal holiday status it deserves.
“Very proud that Juneteenth is getting the holiday status it deserves,” one USPS customer commented. Others, however, grumble about the growing list of paid holidays and the impact on postage costs.
Why Juneteenth? A Brief History
For those who might not be familiar, Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 when Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced the emancipation of enslaved people—over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed.
While Texas was the first state to make Juneteenth an official holiday in 1980, it wasn’t until 2021 that President Joe Biden signed it into law as a federal holiday. Today, 27 states recognize Juneteenth as a paid day off, and its significance continues to grow nationwide.
What About Other Delivery Services?
If you’re hoping FedEx or UPS might swoop in to save the day, here’s some good news: FedEx has announced that its normal operations will continue during the Juneteenth holiday.
Source: WCNC / Youtube.
So, if your package is coming via FedEx, you might not experience any delay. UPS, on the other hand, typically follows a similar schedule to USPS for federal holidays, so check with your retailer or tracking information for specifics.
How do you feel about the USPS closure for Juneteenth? Have you ever had a package delayed by a holiday? Do you rely on the mail for essential deliveries? We’d love to hear your stories, tips, and thoughts in the comments below!
The United States Postal Service (USPS) has announced a 24-hour closure of all its branches, and that means your much-anticipated deliveries could be temporarily “held hostage” in closed facilities.
Whether you’re expecting a birthday gift, a new gadget, or—most importantly—your vital medications, here’s what you need to know about this postal blackout, why it’s happening, and how it might affect you.
What’s Happening and When?
Mark your calendars: on June 19th, every USPS branch across the country will close its doors for a full 24 hours. This isn’t just a local hiccup—it’s a nationwide pause.
The closure is in honor of Juneteenth, the federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States.
While the intention is to celebrate a pivotal moment in American history, the practical effect is that no regular mail or packages will be delivered, and retail postal services will be unavailable.
What Does This Mean for Your Packages?
If you’ve got a package en route from Amazon, Walmart, or any other retailer relying on USPS, expect a one-day delay.
All USPS branches in the US will close for 24 hours on June 19th to observe the Juneteenth federal holiday, meaning no regular mail delivery from major retailers like Amazon and Walmart on that day. Image source: WWLTV / Youtube.
Some customers have taken to social media to joke about a day without junk mail or bills, but for others—especially those who depend on the mail for essential medications or time-sensitive documents—this pause is more than just a minor inconvenience.
The USPS has clarified that there are a few exceptions: premium Priority Mail Express and same-day package delivery services will still operate, and some facilities that are normally open on holidays may remain accessible.
Post office box access should also be available, so if you’re a P.O. box user, you might still be able to check your mail. But for the vast majority of us, it’s a 24-hour standstill.
How Are People Reacting?
As with most things these days, reactions are mixed. Some folks are shrugging it off—“All I get is bills anyway!”—while others are frustrated, especially those who rely on USPS for critical deliveries.
One concerned citizen pointed out, “Older people need their meds and depend on them.” Another customer vented online about their package being “held hostage” at the post office during a previous holiday closure.
On the flip side, there’s a sense of pride and recognition for Juneteenth finally getting the federal holiday status it deserves.
“Very proud that Juneteenth is getting the holiday status it deserves,” one USPS customer commented. Others, however, grumble about the growing list of paid holidays and the impact on postage costs.
Why Juneteenth? A Brief History
For those who might not be familiar, Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 when Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced the emancipation of enslaved people—over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed.
While Texas was the first state to make Juneteenth an official holiday in 1980, it wasn’t until 2021 that President Joe Biden signed it into law as a federal holiday. Today, 27 states recognize Juneteenth as a paid day off, and its significance continues to grow nationwide.
What About Other Delivery Services?
If you’re hoping FedEx or UPS might swoop in to save the day, here’s some good news: FedEx has announced that its normal operations will continue during the Juneteenth holiday.
Source: WCNC / Youtube.
So, if your package is coming via FedEx, you might not experience any delay. UPS, on the other hand, typically follows a similar schedule to USPS for federal holidays, so check with your retailer or tracking information for specifics.
How do you feel about the USPS closure for Juneteenth? Have you ever had a package delayed by a holiday? Do you rely on the mail for essential deliveries? We’d love to hear your stories, tips, and thoughts in the comments below!
