THE SA Post Office (SAPO) has this week begun implementing full services at its branches, for services permitted under the risk-adjusted Level 4 regulations.
While it had been offering limited services during lockdown including grant payments, customers will now also be able to make account payments, collect and deliver parcels, post parcels, and certify documents.
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The renewal of motor vehicle licenses is, however, earmarked to resume on 1 June.
‘The total branch network available as of 25 May will be 1 017 branches nationwide, with operations in the remainder of our branch network brought online in a phased approach as and when we complete implementing measures to ensure that we comply with regulations promulgated to combat the spread of the virus.
‘We envisage that all our branches will be fully operational by 1 June,’ said Ivumile Nongogo, SAPO Acting CEO.
Nongogo said mail is beginning to flow again as sorting facilities, transport and branches of the SAPO have been granted permission to operate under the provisions of lockdown Level 4.
SAPO has deployed a systemised restricted-hours shift system in the sorting centres in order to comply with the regulations restricting the number of employees allowed on the premises at any one time, to observe social distancing requirements.
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‘This will, therefore, impact delivery turnaround times of parcels, including items that accumulated prior to lockdown.
‘Indications are that we should deliver the accumulated items that were held up during lockdown within the next three weeks. We appeal to our customers for their patience as we are navigating these unchartered times,’ said Nongogo.
As cargo flights to and from other countries are still scarce, at the moment SAPO is able to move mail and parcels to and from Hong Kong, Japan, Portugal, Thailand and China.
Customers will now also be able to check the status of their items using the Post Office’s tracking service.
‘Customer contact points that were suspended on Level 5 lockdown, including the Customer Service Desk (0860 111 502) will resume,’ said Nongogo.
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