Changes in restrictive measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 (by countries)
Tightening the measures.
Austria:
The Austrian authorities have decided to reintroduce the mandatory wearing of masks in supermarkets, banking and post offices to combat the spread of the coronavirus, Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said. He said that in recent weeks, the increase in the number of new infections per day has reached a three-digit number, and therefore it is necessary to take measures to prevent the spread of the virus.
(information from open sources)
Vanuatu:
The Vanuatu government has extended the emergency until December 31st. State borders remain closed, however, international cargo flights operate.
(information from EMIS)
Hong Kong:
By decree of the Government, the designated postal operator will switch to a special mode of operation from 19 July. This will affect the processing and delivery of all types of shipments.
(information from EMIS)
Honduras:
The first phase of the resumption of normal work has failed due to a sharp outbreak of disease, in connection with which postal activities have been suspended. By decree of the government of the country, the lockdown was extended until July 26, in connection with which, until the same day, the work of Honduras Post was suspended on the entire postal supply chain.
(information from EMIS)
Djibouti:
Starting from July 17, air borders were opened, commercial aviation traffic resumed and the provision of postal services began as normal.
(information from EMIS)
Dominican Republic:
The lockdown in the Dominican Republic was lifted on July 7, and the designated postal operator resumed all services as normal.
(information from EMIS)
Israel:
Due to the increase in the number of cases of coronavirus, Israel Post has decided to maintain such restrictive measures as the cancellation of receiving written notice of delivery, social distancing and a limited number of field employees. There may be delays in the processing and delivery of all types of IGOs.
(information from EMIS)
Spain:
Two districts were completely quarantined - La Marina (Galicia) and Segria (Catalonia). Residents are prohibited from leaving their area, and the mask regime has been introduced everywhere, including on the beaches. The number of COVID-19 coronavirus infections in Spain has increased by 400% in a month since the withdrawal of the high alert regime, according to data from the Ministry of Health. For more than two weeks, the number of cases has tripled: if on July 3 there were 8.76 cases per 100 thousand of the population, then on July 20 - 27.39.
(information from open sources)
Kazakhstan:
Due to the increase in the incidence of coronavirus, the authorities of Kazakhstan decided to introduce restrictive measures for a period of 14 days from July 5, according to the government's website. Citizens over 65 years old were obliged to observe self-isolation, the rest are prohibited from gathering in groups of more than three people. Organizations should relocate employees to telecommuting whenever possible.
(information from open sources)
Colombia:
By government decree, the period of mandatory preventive self-isolation has been extended until August 1. The management staff continue to work remotely, however, it is planned to gradually move the staff to the office in shifts and with a flexible working schedule.
(information from EMIS)
Madagascar:
The country's government has stepped up restrictive measures in the Analamanga (Antananarivo) region until July 20. In the capital, the movement of people is limited and the work of public transport is suspended. The Madagascar Post has suspended the delivery of letter post indefinitely, however, EMS delivery continues to mailboxes during OPS opening hours (8.00-11.30).
(information from EMIS)
Malaysia:
Malaysia has reintroduced a mandatory 14-day quarantine in hotels or government quarantine centers for all travellers entering the country.
(information from open sources)
Peru:
By the decision of the government, the emergency was extended until July 31. During this time, state borders will be closed, international road, air and sea communications will be suspended. Starting from July 1, Peru Post has resumed the provision of postal services in a limited mode - postal items are delivered only within the capital of the country due to transport difficulties.
(information from EMIS)
Samoa:
The country's government has extended the emergency until August.
(information from EMIS)
Seychelles:
Since March, all international flights have been suspended, and therefore the designated postal operator cannot send mails from IGOs and is able to receive a small number of mails by charter flights on an irregular basis. The procedure for scanning imported IGOs is postponed due to limited transport accessibility between the islands of the state.
(information from EMIS)
Serbia:
On July 7, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced that he was introducing a curfew in the country - it will operate from Friday evening to Monday morning. Also, gatherings of more than five people are prohibited.
(information from open sources)
Montenegro:
The Montenegrin government, which announced its victory over the coronavirus in May, is reintroducing the mandatory wearing of masks and restricting outdoor and indoor gatherings. The authorities have declared a COVID-19 epidemic across the country. Restrictive measures began to operate on July 22.
(information from open sources)
Easing the measures.
Australia:
Australia will continue to gradually lift its quarantine regime, despite the second wave of COVID-19 that began in late June, the Australian Prime Minister said. Some state borders remain closed.
(information from open sources)
Albania:
The Albanian government has announced the end of the emergency regime. The operations of Albania Post have been partially restored thanks to the resumption of international flights, however, the designated postal operator is unable to deliver items to a number of countries.
(information from EMIS)
Belgium:
The Belgian government is gradually easing restrictions and quarantine measures. The designated postal operator makes every reasonable effort to deliver letter posts and registered letters five times a week (Monday to Friday), and deliver parcels and EMS six times a week (Monday to Saturday), however communication delays. When delivering all types of items requiring the signature of the recipient, the signature is put by the courier in the presence of the recipient. Belgium Post requires a distance between employees and between employees and customers.
(information from EMIS)
Great Britain:
On July 4, the authorities began the third stage of lifting the quarantine, when, in compliance with a number of restrictions, restaurants, cafes and pubs began to receive visitors, hairdressers, hotels, libraries, temples, cinemas and museums resumed their work. Mandatory quarantine for arrivals from 50 countries has been cancelled in England. The UK Department of Transport noted that in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, local governments themselves decide to extend or lift restrictions. Starting June 13, we resumed the delivery of untracked emails and small packages on Saturdays.
(information from open sources; information from EMIS)
Ghana:
The country's designated postal operator has resumed its operations and is again able to receive mail via cargo planes due to the easing of the lockdown and the reopening of airports.
(information from EMIS)
Grenada:
Quarantine measures in the country are gradually being weakened, and OPSs operate on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The airport remains closed to passenger flights, however, the designated postal operator can accept the letter and parcel mails sent by cargo flights. The designated postal operator has fully resumed operations and is now ready to ship IGOs worldwide.
(information from EMIS)
India:
Lockdown in the country has been extended, however, some relaxation has been introduced.
(information from EMIS)
Indonesia:
The designated postal operator has partially resumed operations from 13 July.
(information from EMIS)
Spain:
Due to the improved transport situation, the designated postal operator has resumed sending mail to most countries, however, there are problems with the frequency and regularity of international flights from the country.
(information from EMIS)
Lithuania:
The quarantine regime in the country was cancelled on June 17, however, the reduced number of staff at workplaces is still maintained, and the work of some OPS has been suspended. For items that require the signature of the recipient upon delivery, the signature procedure has been resumed (unless the recipient is isolated).
(information from EMIS)
Kuwait:
The country's designated postal operator announced the resumption of postal operations from 21 June.
(information from EMIS)
Maldives:
Outbound IGO services are gradually returning to normal as international flights to/from Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (MLE) has resumed.
(information from EMIS)
Moldova:
The country's designated postal operator has resumed the provision of all postal services, as well as the handling and delivery of international mail. Regular flights to/from the country have resumed since July 1.
(information from EMIS)
Nepal:
By the decision of the government, the lockdown regime in the country was lifted on July 22. International flights were cancelled until August 16 inclusive. Domestic postal service was partially resumed on June 15.
(information from EMIS)
UAE:
The designated postal operator of the country announced the resumption of all types of postal services.
(information from EMIS)
Salvador:
The provision of postal services has been partially resumed starting from June 16.
(information from EMIS)
Tunisia:
In connection with the resumption of Tunisair flights on June 27, the designated postal operator resumed sending mail to a number of countries.
(information from EMIS)
Togo:
The government has loosened measures to contain the spread of the virus, however, the state's borders remain closed and flights have been suspended. The designated postal operator resumed handling mail dispatched by cargo aircraft.
(information from EMIS)
France:
Beginning on July 11, the French authorities introduced transitional measures to exit the country from the emergency sanitary and hygienic situation. Nevertheless, the regime will remain in the overseas territories of France - Guiana and Mayotte until October 30. A plan to remove the lockdown is being implemented at enterprises and government agencies. The French Post is committed to ensuring hygiene measures and controlling the flow of people. The designated postal operator is gradually reactivating the entire postal supply chain (excluding Guiana and Mayotte). Processing of parcels weighing up to 30 kg and no more than 1 m in length is resumed, all OPSs return to normal operation.
(information from EMIS)
French Polynesia:
The country's designated postal operator has resumed all operational activities. Air traffic within the country has been restored, as well as international flights to France, the USA and Canada.
(information from EMIS)
Jamaica:
Jamaica Post has reopened since July 1.
(information from EMIS)