Canada
Start date: 16 March 2020
End date: ongoing
The designated operator of Canada, Canada Post, asks us to inform that a number of cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in one of the three shifts at its Gateway East processing plant in the Greater Toronto Area.
Following guidance by the regional health authority, Canada Post has temporarily closed this shift to prevent further spread of the virus. The Toronto exchange office, located in a separate area of the Gateway plant, continues to operate, albeit with a reduced workforce. Given this situation, disruption to normal operations and reduced processing capacity and clearance within customs operations are to be expected.
As further staff shortages are expected during this time, in addition to measures to protect the health and safety of workers, member countries can expect delays in the processing and delivery of both inbound and outbound mail items.
Canada Post is evaluating and adapting existing contingency plans to keep postal items flowing with minimal delay.
Czech Republic
Start date: 02 November 2020
End date: ongoing
The designated operator of the Czech Republic, Česká pošta s.p., wishes to inform that, owing to a worsening of the health situation and an increase in the number of infected people, the country’s authorities have decided to extend the general lockdown until at least 14 February 2021.
Postal services will continue to function with restrictions. Česká pošta continues to provide postal services to the extent possible; however, given the situation in the country, quality of service for all types of inbound and outbound mail (letter post, parcel post and EMS) cannot be guaranteed.
The impact is expected to last until the end of the epidemic. For this reason, a situation of force majeure remains in place with respect to quality of service.
France - IT issues
Start date: 27 January 2021
End date: ongoing
Following an electrical incident, the international flows of the mail branch have been impacted since the morning 27 January 2021.
A relaunch of the electrical infrastructure was carried out yesterday evening.
The catch-up is in progress but the flows will be sent back with some delays, this morning's deliveries will be done manually with nevertheless a risk of non-exhaustive feedback.
Poland
Start date: 16 March 2020
End date: ongoing
The designated operator of Poland, Poczta Polska, wishes to inform that the Polish Government has implemented a national quarantine throughout Poland.
International air traffic remains open, but operations are still limited to a few airlines at the international airport in Warsaw. Poland is accepting mail to a reduced number of destinations only: Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria (Rep.), Canada, China (People’s Rep.), Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Rep., Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong (China), Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea (Rep.), Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau (China), Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Moldova, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russian Federation, Senegal, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay and Viet Nam. Designated operators are advised to consult the following web page (available in Polish only) for the most recent list of the destinations for which Poczta Polska is accepting mail: www.pocztapolska.pl/poczta-
Slovakia
Start date: 16 March 2020
End date: ongoing
The designated operator of Slovakia, Slovenská pošta, would like to inform that, in response to a significant number of new COVID-19 infections, the Slovakian Government has extended the general lockdown in place throughout the country until at least 7 February 2021. It is expected that the Slovakian Government will announce further measures by the end of the month.
Slovenská pošta will continue to provide postal services in line with the public health measures and other restrictions in place, but will be operating with a reduced workforce. The processing and delivery of all types of inbound and outbound mail (letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items) will continue to be affected, and Slovenská pošta is unable to guarantee compliance with the agreed standards.
Therefore, the situation of force majeure previously declared is extended until further notice
Turkmenistan
Start date: 18 March 2020
End date: 11 January 2021
The designated operator of Turkmenistan, Turkmenpost, wishes to inform that the situation of force majeure declared as of 18 March 2020 is now closed, with effect from 11 January 2021. All postal operations have resumed as normal.
Vanuatu
Start date: 18 March 2020
End date: ongoing
The designated operator of Vanuatu, Vanuatu Post, wishes to inform that the Vanuatu Government has extended the state of emergency declared in response to the COVID-19 pandemic until 30 June 2021.
International borders remain closed but authorization has been given for cargo flights to operate. Vanuatu Post is therefore able to accept international inbound mail and can export outbound mail via a weekly cargo flight operating in and out of Port Vila.
However, postal service quality for international inbound and outbound services and service delivery standards (including delivery times and other quality parameters) cannot be guaranteed until further notice.
Vietnam
Start date: 16 March 2020
End date: ongoing
The designated operator of Vietnam, VNPost, would like to inform that, in response to a significant number of new COVID-19 infections, the government has both extended and reinforced the measures to minimize the spread of COVID-19 with effect from 26 January 2021.
While these measures are in place, VNPost will continue to provide postal services, but will be operating with a reduced workforce, and subject to the new restrictions and safety guidelines. The processing and delivery of all types of inbound and outbound mail (letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items) will continue to be affected, and VNPost is unable to guarantee compliance with the agreed standards.
The force majeure case declared previously remains in place until further notice.