Travel restrictions delay Christmas mail
Two-week delay on outgoing mail from South Africa owing to latest international travel restrictions
COVID-19 and its latest variant, Omicron, has disrupted many people’s travel plans the world over, and some companies’ operations.
One of those affected is the postal service whose operations have been delayed owing to the latest round of international travel restrictions to and from South Africa.
As a result of some international flights being cancelled, Christmas mail has been delayed up to 14 days.
Only surface mail is available to the USA, with airmail once again becoming an option only in January.
Mail to Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, Lesotho, Namibia, eSwatini and Mozambique is not affected at this time.
Items destined for these countries, posted in South Africa by 5 December should reach their destination before Christmas.
The SA Post Office advises customers who are sending items to foreign countries to do so as soon as possible.
Customers should package international items securely as mail is transported in bulk, and to include the mobile phone number of the recipient with the address details.
