ADVISORY ALERTS

Mauritius Post advises that the government has announced the easing of COVID-related restrictions effective July 1, subject to strict adherence to sanitary protocols and measures. Beginning July 15, Mauritius will gradually open its international borders. However, COVID-19 continues to have a direct impact on international inbound and outbound mail to and from Mauritius. Therefore, the provisions set out in previous messages and the situation of force majeure previously declared for all inbound and outbound international letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items continue to apply.

Lithuania Post advises that the government has ended a national lockdown with some safety measures remaining in place to limit further spread of COVID-19. A force majeure will no longer apply as of July 1.

New Zealand Post advises that the government raised the alert level in Wellington through June 27 due to a confirmed case of COVID-19. Measures taken include staff working from home, social distancing and reduced shift sizes. This will impact the post’s operational performance in the Wellington region, placing constraints on capacity and service performance capability.

Nepal Post advises that the government has lifted suspension of some international flights, subject to government-mandated conditions. Domestic flights will resume July 1. Lockdown measures have been relaxed. Other public transport remains suspended until further notice. These measures may result in delays in mail collection, transportation and delivery. The post remains unable to accept outbound mail to countries other than India.

Australia Post advises of new restrictions in place to minimize the spread of COVID-19. The post is experiencing disruptions to its daily operations due to emergency measures imposed by the government. These measures, which include lockdowns, state border closures, restrictions on movement and self-isolation for affected individuals, have caused disruptions with airlines and other transportation providers. The restrictions are having a direct impact on service quality for inbound international letter post services. Australia Post is therefore declaring a force majeure event for all inbound international letter post services effective June 28.

Sri Lanka’s post advises that, due to the rapid spread of COVID-19, the government has extended the current strict island-wide travel restrictions until June 21. The post will continue to operate under the current restrictions and safety guidelines. Sri Lanka’s post is therefore unable to guarantee compliance with the agreed delivery standards for all mail categories.

Slovenia’s post advises that the lockdown previously announced has ended effective June 15. Since the risk of spreading COVID-19 remains, most of the preventive measures will be maintained, and Slovenia’s post will continue to provide postal services in line with national public health guidelines and restrictions. The acceptance of outbound mail items (letter post, parcel post and EMS) for some destinations remains subject to transport availability. Slovenia’s post is declaring the situation of force majeure to be at an end.

Guatemala’s post advises that services in the eastern and northeastern regions of the country, which were disrupted due to Storm Eta, are in the process of being restored. It is hoped that all services will have resumed as normal by the end of this month. Inbound and outbound services (both domestic and international) in the rest of the country are operating as normal.

New Zealand Post advises that heavy rain in South Island has caused floods and landslides that have closed roads and damaged or destroyed bridges. A state of emergency has been declared for the Canterbury region. Landslides and floodwaters are expected to continue to disrupt road transport and travel. Delivery operations are suspended in all areas under the state of emergency or where conditions are deemed unsafe by authorities. Transport, processing and delivery operations for the entire South Island (postcodes 7000 to 9999) are likely to be disrupted and the post has declared a force majeure.

Post Malaysia have advised that, in response to a significant number of new infections, the Malaysian Government has both extended and reinforced its measures to minimise the spread of COVID-19 from 28 May 2021. During this period, Post Malaysia will continue to provide postal services, operating with a reduced workforce and in line with the new restrictions and safety guidelines. The processing and delivery of all types of inbound and outbound mail (letters and parcels) will continue to be affected, and Post Malaysia is unable to guarantee compliance with the agreed standards. Previously declared force majeure continues to apply until further notice.

Lithuania Post advises that the government has extended a national lockdown until June 30 to control the spread of COVID-19. Postal services will continue to operate subject to certain restrictions. Processing and delivery of all types of inbound and outbound mail will continue to be affected and the post is unable to guarantee compliance with the usual delivery standards. A force majeure will continue.

Australia Post advises that inbound letter-post items are no longer being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it is still experiencing issues with other categories of inbound items and all categories of outbound mail.

Thailand’s post advises that cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed among operating staff handling inbound letter-post items at the Laksi mail processing center. Quarantine and other public health measures have been implemented at the facility, resulting in a reduction in the workforce. Delays are expected in processing, customs clearance and delivery of all inbound letter-post services destined for Thailand. A backlog resulting from the temporary closure of the Suvarnabhumi Office of Exchange has been cleared and operations there have returned to normal.

Sri Lanka’s post advises that due to spread of COVID-19 strict island-wide travel restrictions have been imposed by the government, effective until June 7. Delivery of all inbound mail will be suspended during this period. The country’s international airports remain open to cargo flights, and all inbound mail will be transported to the Colombo office of exchange under special arrangements, but processing and delivery will be suspended. Outbound mail transport will also be affected.

Slovenia’s post advises that a government lockdown in response to COVID-19 has been extended by 30 days beginning May 17. The post continues to provide services in line with national public health guidelines and restrictions but is operating with a reduced workforce. Processing and delivery of all types of inbound and outbound mail continues to be affected, and the post is unable to guarantee compliance with agreed standards. Acceptance of outbound mail for some destinations remains subject to transport availability. The force majeure is being extended until further notice.

Slovakia’s post advises that a state of emergency has now ended. However, restrictions in terms of service standards and the previously announced force majeure remain in place.

Palestine’s post advises that due to current events in the Gaza Strip postal operations will be subject to interruptions and delays until calm returns to the region. The post indicates that it will be difficult to provide postal services for the following addresses and postal codes until further notice: Gaza: P840–P899 Khan Younes: P930–P969 Rafah: P970–P999 North Gaza: P800–P839

Nepal Post advises there could be delays in mail collection, transportation and delivery because of the suspension of international flights through May 31 and a partial lockdown through May 27. The post is unable to accept outbound mail to countries other than India until passenger flights normally used to transport mail are resumed.

Mali’s post advises that the five-day general strike called by the National Workers’ Union of Mali beginning May 24, which affected the entire country, was suspended on May 25. As of May 26, postal services for inbound and outbound items (letters, parcels and EMS) have resumed as normal throughout the country.

Fiji’s post advises that it is experiencing significant disruption in daily operations because of the coronavirus pandemic. This includes collection and deliveries for all international mail categories and services. Fiji’s post advises that it is experiencing significant disruption in daily operations because of the coronavirus pandemic. This includes collection and deliveries for all international mail categories and services.

Slovakia Post has updated us that the Slovakian Government have ended the general lockdown. However, the processing and delivery of all mail types will continue to be affected by the existing restrictions on service standards, with Force Majeure remaining in place until further notice.

Mali Post has informed that the National Workers’ Union of Mali (UNTM) has called a strike from 17 to 20 May 2021. The strike will affect the entire country disrupting mail operations for all mail types during this period.

Hellenic Post of Greece has advised that the national lockdown ended on 14 May. Normal postal operations have resumed with some preventive measures, such as social distancing, remaining in place.

Public health measures and restrictions in place are affecting postal operations and the previously declared state of emergency and Force majeure remain in place for the country with continued disruption to processing and delivery.

The Slovenian Government has extended the general lockdown in place throughout Slovenia by a further 30 days, from 17 May. The processing and delivery of all mail types will continue to be affected, and the force majeure situation remains in place until further notice.