CANADA Post on Thursday issued a red delivery service alert for the Gulf Islands, the Lower Mainland area including Metro Vancouver, Nanaimo and South Vancouver Island, Powell River and the Sunshine Coast due to heavy snowfall.

A red service alert means that Canada Post is suspending delivery for the day and not sending its delivery agents out or recalling them. Delivery will resume once conditions improve and it’s safe to do so. Canada Post said that the safety of its employees is their number one priority.

The red service alert issued on Wednesday for Gabriola Island, Ladysmith and Nanaimo was updated with Thursday’s expanded locations.

An alert can be issued for a particular community or an entire province, depending on the weather event.

Thursday’s service alerts have been posted to Canada Post’s delivery service alerts webpage, which lists all active and archived alerts and updates.

“We encourage customers to clear the ice from their walkways, stairs, and driveways, to ensure safe access to the front door for both their visitors, as well as their mail carriers, when service resumes,” said a Canada Post spokesperson.

If customers have questions regarding mail delivery, they can contact Canada Post’s Customer Service team (1-866-607-6301).