Australia
The designated operator of Australia, Australia Post, informs that the government has imposed stage 4 restrictions in Melbourne (Victoria), in order to manage the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
These restrictions include regulatory requirements that result in reductions to the workforce. Therefore, Australia Post’s operations for the state of Victoria have been heavily impacted by a reduction in processing capacity.
As a result, the acceptance of inbound international letter-post and parcel-post items to the Melbourne office of exchange is temporarily suspended. EMS items will continue to be accepted and processed. Australia Post requests that all inbound international letter-post and parcel-post items be diverted to another office of exchange (Brisbane, Perth or Sydney) until the stage 4 restrictions have been lifted.
Botswana
The receipt and dispatch of inbound and outbound mail still cannot be guaranteed, owing to continued airport closures.
BotswanaPost has established an alternative solution whereby inbound and outbound mail can be routed through South African Post Office, with transport by road to and from O.R. Tambo International Airport twice per week. Designated operators can therefore send mail to Botswana on cargo flights to O.R. Tambo International Airport via South African Post Office.
BotswanaPost accepts inbound mail received via the above-mentioned system, and will carry out deliveries in accordance with the COVID-19 guidelines mandated by the government. However, owing to limited staff capacity as a result of measures such as social distancing, BotswanaPost is still unable to guarantee delivery standards. The force majeure situation previously announced therefore continues to apply until further notice.
Peru
The designated operator of Peru, Servicios Postales del Peru S.A. (SERPOST), wishes to inform on government measures to combat COVID-19.
The national state of emergency has now been extended until 30 September 2020.
SERPOST resumed its operations as of 1 July 2020, and is gradually restoring normal activities. However, the continuing lack of international flights and measures taken by other countries and their designated operators mean that there are still significant delays in the processing of all incoming and outgoing international letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items. Teleworking and other measures to protect vulnerable staff and ensure biosecurity are also affecting services.
Nonetheless, designated operators are invited to help SERPOST restore normal operations by sending their dispatches to Peru.
The previously declared force majeure situation remains in force, meaning that SERPOST is still unable to guarantee service standards for letter post, parcel post and EMS, and the conditions set out in previous Incident bulletin messages also apply.
Philippines
The designated operator of the Philippines, PHLPost, wishes to update on the stringent social distancing measures that are in force throughout the Philippines with a view to curtailing and eliminating the COVID-19 threat.
The Government of the Philippines has extended the community quarantine within the Philippines until 30 September 2020, without prejudice to the declaration of localized enhanced community quarantine in critical areas, as follows:
- Iligan City in Mindanao Island is placed under modified enhanced community quarantine;
- The following areas are placed in general community quarantine:
- Luzon Island: National Capital Region and the provinces of Batangas and Bulacan; and
- Visayas Island: Bacolod City and Tacloban City;
- The remaining areas in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao islands are placed under modified general community quarantine.
Customer service to the public is limited to e-mail only, using the e-mail address customercare@phlpost.gov.ph.
Samoa
The designated operator of Samoa, Samoa Post, informs that the Government of Samoa has extended the state of emergency until 27 September 2020.
With regard to international transport, there is still only one cargo flight per week to and from New Zealand. As a result, Samoa Post can send outbound mail and receive inbound mail only once per week. Furthermore, all inbound mail is subject to a seven-day quarantine before being processed and delivered. Owing to these conditions, Samoa Post wishes to advise that delays are to be expected.