Thank you for sharing, I followed 1-3-0 today and they answered that all the agents are busyI called IRCC today on 1-888-242-2100 (then followed 2-2-2-6-0 on keypad).
Good news is that I received an XEP number. Now I am relaxed that my application is in safe hands.
fyi - Inland BC PNP application, July 21st AR.