July 8, 2020 —
For: Our loyal customers
RE: Midwest Direct Operational Status July 8, 2020
The City of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, and The State of Pennsylvania have recently signed orders requiring people to wear face masks in public spaces to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
The Midwest Direct team is continuing to work diligently to provide the safest work environment for our workforce -- while at the same time maintaining our regular operational status of pick up, processing, and delivering your mail to the Postal Service for delivery.
In order to provide this safe environment, we have supplied all of our employees with single-use and reusable face masks and information on how to properly use them, as well as requiring the wear of these masks at all times, especially in high traffic areas.
Midwest Direct will continue to require regular hand washing, disinfection of workstations, and health checks of all employees. Additionally, social distancing procedures are being followed and social distancing guidelines are readily available to all employees.
At this time, we are requiring all visitors to our Ohio and Pittsburgh facilities to fill out a health declaration form when entering our buildings, and visitors are required to wear face-covering when visiting our sites.
We remain committed to you and appreciate your business. We will continue to update you with any changes. If you have questions or concerns or schedule updates, please contact your customer service representative directly.
Stay Safe –
The Midwest Direct Team
May 1, 2020 —
For: Our loyal customers
RE: Midwest Direct Operational Status May 4, 2020
As many of you already know, a Responsible RestartOhio order was issued by the State of Ohio for Manufacturing, Distribution & Construction, and General Office Environments effective May 4, 2020. Midwest Direct falls under both of these categories and will continue business operations as normal.
Since Midwest Direct was deemed an official essential business partner of the United States Post Office, we remained open and continued to pick up and process your mail, working our normal hours through the mandated, non-essential business closures. We will continue to work our normal hours with no shift pattern changes or capacity restrictions.
The Midwest Direct team is working diligently to provide the safest work environment for our workforce -- while at the same time maintaining our regular operational status of pick up, processing, and delivering your mail to the Postal Service for delivery. In order to provide this safe environment, we have supplied all of our employees with single-use and reusable face masks and information on how to properly use them, as well as requiring the wear of these masks at all times, especially in high traffic areas.
Midwest Direct will continue to require regular hand washing, disinfection of workstations, and health checks of all employees. Additionally, social distancing procedures are being followed and social distancing guidelines are readily available to all employees.
At this time, we are requiring all visitors to our Ohio and Pittsburgh facilities to fill out a health declaration form when entering our buildings, and visitors are strongly encouraged to wear face-covering when visiting our sites.
These are unprecedented times for all of us, but we are happy to see progress in the health of our state both physically and economically.
We remain committed to you and appreciate your business. We will continue to update you with any changes. If you have questions or concerns or schedule updates, please contact your customer service representative directly.
Stay Safe –
The Midwest Direct Team
USPS Continuity of Operations Updates:
- Expected Delivery Changes for Priority Mail and First-Class Package Services (April 17, 2020)
- Refunds for Items to International Countries where Service Has Been Suspended (April 16, 2020)
- Mail Delivery Return to Sender Timeframe Extension (April 14, 2020)
- Mailability of Hand Sanitizer Update (April 14, 2020)
- Help Desk Contingencies (April 9, 2020)
- Diplomatic Mail (April 9, 2020)
- Mailability of Hand Sanitizer Update (April 7, 2020)
- Help Us Serve You (Retail and Carrier Safety) – Videos Available for Your Use (April 6, 2020)
- Media Statement COVID-19 (April 3, 2020)
- CASS Cycle O – Delayed Due to COVID-19 (April 3, 2020)
- Effects on Requalification Efforts for Periodicals (April 2, 2020)
- Detached Mail Unit (DMU) Health Screening – Requests for Bulk Mail Techs/Clerks (April 1, 2020)
- Policy for Customers Requiring Visitor Medical Screenings for Letter Carriers (March 31, 2020)
- Business Closed – Hold Mail (March 28, 2020)
- Safety of the Mail (March 23, 2020)
- USPS and Mail Supply Chain Essential Government Services (March 23, 2020)
- Customer Signature Service COVID-19 Response and Prevention (March 20, 2020)
- USPS Continuity of Operations Update (March 19, 2020)
- Monitoring the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) (March 18, 2020)
April 1, 2020 — USPS temporarily suspends international delivery to select destinations. Read the full story below:
Temporary Service Suspension
The Postal Service™ received notice that various postal operators are no longer able to process or deliver international mail or services originating from the United States due to service disruptions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As a result, the Postal Service is currently unable to accept items destined for affected countries at any Post Office® or postal facility location, effective April 3, 2020, until further notice.
Customers are asked to refrain from entering items addressed to any of the below countries into the USPS system effective immediately:
- Botswana
- Cayman Islands
- Chad
- Ecuador
- Fiji
- French Polynesia
- Honduras
- India
- Kuwait
- Libya
- Madagascar
- Maldives
- Mongolia
- New Caledonia
- Panama
- Peru
- Samoa
- Saudi Arabia
- South Africa
- Bolivia
- Sri Lanka
- Zimbabwe
These service disruptions affect Priority Mail Express International® (PMEI), Priority Mail International® (PMI), First-Class Mail International® (FCMI), First-Class Package International Service® (FCPIS®), International Priority Airmail® (IPA®), International Surface Air Lift® (ISAL®), and M-Bag® items.
For already deposited items, other than GXG, Postal Service employees must endorse them “Mail Service Suspended — Return to Sender” and then place them in the mail stream for return.
For any returned item bearing a customs form, the Postal Service will, upon request, refund postage and fees on mail returned due to the suspension of service.
For all other returned items not bearing a customs declarations form, the Postal Service will, upon request, refund postage and fees on mail returned due to the suspension of service, or the sender may remail them with the existing postage once service has been restored. When remailing under this option, customers must cross out the markings “Mail Service Suspended — Return to Sender.”
Unless otherwise noted, service suspensions to a particular country do not affect delivery of military and diplomatic mail.
Please visit our International Service Alerts page for the most up to date information https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/international/?utm_source=residential&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=res_to_intl
March 27, 2020 — Updated Business continuity communications from USPS. Hello from the Midwest Direct Newsroom. We have posted an updated communication from the USPS Postmaster General concerning business continuity.
- USPS COVID-19 Continuity of Operations
- International Mail Service (IMS) Release of Operational Status of Foreign Countries
USPS COVID-19 Continuity of Operations
The Postal Service has developed localized continuity of operations plans that are employed in the case of emergencies to help ensure that the nation's postal system continues to function for the American people. With a longstanding history of quickly adapting its operational plans to changing conditions, the Postal Service maintains steady communications with mailers during natural disasters or other events that require emergency responses and advises residential customers, business mailers, and international mailers with regard to postal facility disruptions that may impact delivery in an affected area via its USPS Service Alerts webpage at: https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/.
In the event they are required, the activation of localized continuity of operations plans depends on the specific effects of an emergency in an impacted area. Due to the variance in possibilities and factors, it would be impossible to predict what the effect of such emergencies would be on a specific customers' mailing prior to the event, but the planning enables us to continue or quickly reestablish mail operations in regions facing the impact of strong hurricanes, flooding, wildfires, etc., and they have been prepared to respond to pandemic-related circumstances as well. As a result, we recommend that customers refer to USPS Service Alerts for service-disruption updates. Another key component of our communications portion of USPS contingency plans remains the Industry Alert.
For those business mailers who utilize the Business Service Network (BSN), we encourage them to continue to maintain the line of communication with their representative on changes to the postal system. If a customer or mailing partner needs to shut down its operations due to the current situation, they should contact their BSN contact, Sales contact, or their local Business Mail Entry contact to discuss their plans. These local contacts will notify the Districts, Area, and Headquarters of any needed assistance or broader impacts.
The Postal Service continues to use its existing processes for many of the more common impacts customers are concerned about. Some questions that have been raised are:
- How is USPS handling mail for closed businesses?
Mail on the delivery route is returned to the Delivery unit and will be held for 10 days under current policies. Customers can request a temporary hold for their mail up to 30 days. Caller Box customers should contact their local office to discuss how they will be handling the pickup of this volume. Any high volume customer will be contacted to discuss pickup options as well. - How is USPS delivering mail under shelter in place declarations?
The Postal Service is classified as an essential government service operation, which allows us to continue operations. - How safe is the mail and mail transport equipment?
Current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) guidance continues to indicate there is no evidence the virus is spreading through the mail. According to WHO, the likelihood of an infected person contaminating commercial goods is low, and the risk of catching the virus from a package that has been moved, traveled, and exposed to different conditions and temperatures is also low. This guidance remains true for mail transport equipment. - Is the USPS experiencing capacity issues due to reduced airline routes?
There are no domestic air capacity issues at this time. The Postal Service continues to work with International air carriers and contract air carriers to keep mail moving.
Industry and commercial customers can email questions or concerns about COVID-19 and the mail to industryfeedback@usps.gov with COVID-19 in the subject line. Mailers can also sign up for Industry Alerts at industryalert@usps.gov.
For more information, see the USPS Coronavirus Statement
USPS Coronavirus Updates for Business Customers
USPS Coronavirus Updates for Residential Customers:
International Mail Service (IMS) Release of Operational Status of Foreign Countries
International Mail Service Inc (IMS) is still operational and processing all services. With a limited staff, our turn times may increase for some mail/packages by a day or so, but know we're doing the very best we can to offer the premium service our customers are used to.
The following is a comprehensive, alphabetized list of country disruptions as of 3/23/20. Note that IMS continues to collect, process, and enter all mail and parcels into the USPS. Per the USPS, "As a convenience for our customers, the USPS will continue to accept and process mail destined for the countries listed below. This mail will be held within our network and will be delivered once mail service is restored".
|
Updated |
Country |
Status |
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|
3/20/20 |
Armenia |
Owing to the suspension of flights resulting from the outbreak and spread of COVID-19, the postal operator of Armenia expects serious delays in processing of inbound and outbound mail (letter-post, parcel post and EMS items) from 19 March 2020 until further notice. This will have a major impact on operations and, consequently, on quality of service for all types of inbound and outbound mail (letter-post, parcel post and EMS items). Delivery may be performed via methods that restrict direct contact. For all letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items requiring signature on delivery, the addressee's signature may be replaced in the signature field by the postman/postwoman's signature, together with the delivery code. |
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3/16/20 |
Australia |
Australia Post has advised that written proof of delivery is suspended, until further notice, for inbound items. |
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3/20/20 |
Austria |
The Austrian government has extended the measures aimed at slowing the pandemic spread of the corona virus, Covid-19. Postal services will be affected by the regulatory measures. The measures will be in effect at least until 14th of April 2020 and may be amended from time to time. As long as these regulatory measures are in place, the Austrian Post will no longer be able to meet all of its contractual obligations, in particular the quality delivery standards, in full. |
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3/23/20 |
Bermuda |
All public transportation, including flights into Bermuda, have been suspended with effect from 20 March 2020, and affected individuals are required to self-quarantine. These measures are having a direct impact on postal operations and service quality. Therefore, Bermuda Post Office is declaring a situation of force majeure with regard to all international letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items. |
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3/23/20 |
Brazil |
There may be a severe impact on service quality for international inbound and outbound services. Correios can no longer guarantee the service delivery standards (including delivery times and other quality parameters) applicable under UPU provisions and related bilateral and multilateral agreements with designated operators and any interested third parties. Pursuant to its commitment to preserving the health and safety of the population and its employees, Correios will be making changes to its delivery procedures to help contain the spread of the virus. Until further notice, letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items requiring signature on delivery will no longer be signed for at the moment of handover to the recipient. |
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3/23/20 |
Canada |
Canada Post confirms that processing of inbound items from the US will proceed as normal and asks USPS to continue sending mail dispatches to Canada. While processing of domestic and inbound mail from USPS will continue as normal, there may be some delays on certain inbound mail items from USPS due to limited air network capacity. It should be noted, however, that the surface and air networks between USPS and Canada Post are operating smoothly. Given the potential for service delays for our customers, Canada Post is treating this situation as a case of force majeure. |
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3/18/20 |
Cayman Islands |
All mail services are suspended. |
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3/18/20 |
Chile |
International inbound mail addressed to Easter Island will no longer be accepted; there will be delays in the processing and delivery of international inbound mail; signature on delivery for internaitonal inbound mail will be suspended and replace by delivery methods that limit direct physical contact. |
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2/10/20 |
China |
Temporary suspension of the guaranteed delivery times on PMEI. |
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3/23/20 |
Columbia |
Roads and borders have been closed as part of the country's internal government policies, affecting logistics operations at national and international level. Moreover, operations at the exchange office are also being affected by the suspension of airline services. |
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3/20/20 |
Croatia |
A special process for postal items subject to signature upon delivery has been introduced as from Wednesday, 18 March 2020. For registered or insured items, parcels and EMS items, the item will be placed in the addressee's mailbox or deposited at the front door of their house or flat. In the signature field, the postman will enter "C-19" to indicate that the item has been delivered without the recipient's signature. |
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3/16/20 |
Cyprus |
Cyprus Post has advised that significant delays are to be expected in the delivery of all inbound letter-post, parcel-post and Express Mail Service (EMS) items. Postal items that would ordinarily require written proof of delivery may, with the addressee's consent, be deposited in the addressee's mailbox or in a secure location on the addressee's premises, with signature by the mail carrier. |
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3/20/20 |
Ecuador |
All postal services in Ecuador are suspended with immediate effect until further notice. |
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3/16/20 |
El Salvador |
Correos de El Salvador has advised that it will need to reduce its workforce across the logistics chain. As a result, customers should expect delivery delays for all letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items. |
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3/17/20 |
Estonia |
Estonian Post has advised that it has suspended signature on delivery for inbound items. Where possible, items will be delivered to mailboxes; otherwise, they will be delivered in person, but without signature. The courier will enter the recipient's name in the handheld device, but in place of the signature, there will be the indication "Courier". This temporary measure will last until further notice. |
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3/18/20 |
French Polynesia |
Unable to accept letter-post, parcel-post or EMS items from any Union member countries. OPT PF - FARE RATA is thus declaring a case of force majeure and ceasing, with immediate effect, to accept letter-post, parcel-post or EMS items from any Union member countries until 31 March 2020. |
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3/18/20 |
Germany |
In order to limit the spread of the coronavirus and in the interest of the health and safety of Deutsche Post staff, special processes have been put in place for postal items subject to signature upon delivery as from Friday, 13 March 2020. Parcels and registered items that would ordinarily require the addressee's signature can now be deposited in the addressee's mailbox or in a secure location on their premises, with signature by the postman/postwoman on their portable device. In cases where items are delivered to the recipient in person, the postman/postwoman will likewise sign on the recipient's behalf. These measures are aimed at avoiding contact between the recipient and the portable device. |
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3/23/20 |
Guyana |
Furthermore, all entry ports into Guyana have been closed for 14 days. As a consequence, delays are to be expected in the handling and delivery of all mail (letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items). |
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3/18/20 |
Honduras |
Correspondence of all kinds will not be handled according to the usual delivery times and quality measurement requirements. |
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3/20/20 |
Hong Kong |
Hongkong Post asks us to inform other Union member countries and their designated operators that the processing of all inbound and outbound mail (letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items) is now back to normal. |
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3/20/20 |
Ireland |
Suspended signature on delivery for inbound items. Delivery will be conducted via methods that limit direct contact, with immediate effect. |
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3/20/20 |
Israel |
Suspended signature on delivery for inbound items. For safety reasons, delivery will be conducted via methods that restrict direct contact, with immediate effect. For all letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items requiring signature on delivery, no signature will be required and the item will be left at the door, after being scanned and photographed to ensure that delivery has been made. If possible, the name of the addressee shall be recorded. |
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3/18/20 |
Jamaica |
Implementing a restructured operations programme. This will have an impact on the processing of all inbound and outbound mail, as follows: Inability to guarantee delivery standards for letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items, owing to adjusted opening hours of post offices and postal agencies. |
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3/17/20 |
Kuwait |
Kuwait Postal Sector has suspended all inbound and outbound mail (letter-post, parcel-post and Express Mail Service (EMS) items) until further notice. |
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3/17/20 |
Latvia |
Latvijas Pasts has advised that the processing of all inbound and outbound international mail conveyed via passenger air transport has been suspended until further notice. Latvijas Pasts will strive to find alternative means to convey its outbound mail by truck or cargo air transport. However, there may be significant delays in the meantime. For preventive purposes, shipments are stored in a warehouse for 72 hours prior to transport. Customers should expect delays. |
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3/18/20 |
Lebanon |
The processing of all inbound and outbound international mail conveyed via passenger air transport has been suspended until further notice. |
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3/16/20 |
Lithuania |
Lithuania Post, has advised that all letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items requiring signature on delivery will be delivered to customers indirectly. Consequently, it will not be mandatory for mail carriers to collect and provide written proof of delivery. |
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3/17/20 |
Luxembourg |
Post Luxembourg has advised that delivery will be conducted via methods that restrict direct contact. For all letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items requiring signature on delivery, the addressee's signature will be replaced by the mail carrier's signature, together with the delivery code, in the signature field. |
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3/20/20 |
Malaysia |
Delays are expected in processing, transportation and delivery of both incoming and outgoing international shipments of letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items, owing to suspension of services, cancellation of flights, shutdown of airports and implementation of preventative measures to reduce the risk of the spread of COVID-19. For inbound mail deliveries, letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items will be handled as follows: |
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3/18/20 |
Maldives |
Suspended the processing of all inbound and outbound mail (letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items) from 19 to 28 March 2020. This will have a major impact on operations and, consequently, on quality of service for all types of mail (letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items). The disruption is expected to continue until the epidemic is over. |
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3/20/20 |
Malta |
All letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items requiring signature on delivery will no longer be signed at the moment of handover to the recipient, for health, safety and security reasons. For these items, the postman/woman will ask for the recipient's name and ID number, and this information will be entered by the postman/woman in the signature field on the registration barcode sticker. |
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3/17/20 |
Moldova |
Posta Moldovei has suspended all inbound and outbound mail (letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items) until further notice. |
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3/20/20 |
Myanmar |
Suspended all passenger flights from and to Yangon International Airport, with effect from 18 March 2020 until 30 April 2020 inclusive. Owing to this situation, Myanmar Post will be unable to provide outbound mail services (letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items) to international destinations and is therefore ceasing, with immediate effect, to accept letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items until passenger flights resume at Yangon International Airport. |
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3/16/20 |
Netherlands |
PostNL has advised that all letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items requiring signature on delivery will no longer be signed at the time of delivery. For these items, the mail carrier will ask the recipient for the last three digits of the recipient's ID reference number, and this information will be entered by the carrier in the signature field on their handheld device. This temporary measure will be effective until further notice. |
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3/17/20 |
New Zealand |
New Zealand Post has announced changes for all letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items requiring signature on delivery. Effective immediately, the mail carrier will ask for the recipient's name (to record proof of delivery), and leave the item on the doorstep. The person receiving the item will not sign for the delivery directly. If no one comes to the door and there is no Parcel Leave service in place, the carrier will leave a card with details of the delivery, and return the item to the Post Office. This temporary measure will remain in effect until further notice. |
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3/20/20 |
Norway |
Owing to the lack of transport capacity following numerous cancellations of international flights resulting from authorities' measures to limit the transmission of COVID-19, the postal operator of Norway, Posten Norge AS, is currently unable to send postal items to any countries outside the European Union, with the exception of Australia, Brazil, Canada, Hong Kong, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Korea (Rep.), Liechtenstein, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. Posten Norge AS is therefore declaring a situation of force majeure and ceasing, with immediate effect, to accept postal items destined for member countries not listed above, until sufficient transport capacity becomes available. Delays are also to be expected for postal items destined to member countries listed above. |
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3/23/20 |
Panama |
All incoming and outgoing international flights to and from Panama have been suspended as of 19 March 2020. As a result, airlines have cancelled mail transportation until further notice. In view of this situation, Correos de Panamá would like to inform all member countries that transportation services for all categories of mail item (letter post, parcel post and EMS) are suspended until further notice. As a result, Correos de Panamá is no longer able to guarantee inbound and outbound mail standards and invokes the force majeure clause for quality of service and quality of remunerations for all categories of mail item (letter post, parcel post and EMS) until further notice. The postal network, national and international operations centres and national post offices will, however, remain open, but with a reduced workforce and modified working hours. |
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3/17/20 |
Peru |
Suspended postal services until 3/30/20. |
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3/18/20 |
Philippines |
As part of the enhanced community quarantine in Metropolitan Manila and rest of Luzon island, a total lockdown of international air and sea transport will be imposed with effect from 20 March 2020. Domestic air, land and sea transport in areas subject to community quarantine have been under total lockdown since 13 March 2020. In view of this situation, Philippine Postal Corp will operate as follows during the community quarantine from 3/13 to 4/12: International mail processing centers will maintain a skeleton staff in order to accept incoming international dispatches until the total lockdown of international air and sea transport on 3/20. All post offices in areas placed under quarantine are closed. |
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3/23/20 |
Portugal |
Portugal - International and domestic operations will continue to operate normally as far as possible. However, several measures have been implemented to ensure the safety of both customers and staff, including the following: Post offices will remain open in general (closing over lunchtime); For domestic and inbound international items that would normally require a signature, the postwoman or postman will sign for delivery in place of the customer (as already stated in EmIS 115); CTT Correios de Portugal is no longer able to guarantee delivery times, observe the standard rules for signature on delivery, or make tracking data available for all shipments. |
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3/18/20 |
Romania |
Travel restrictions have led to massive cancellations of international flights. Owing to the suspension of air services to a number of international destinations, Poșta Română is facing difficulties sending international postal items, and delays are to be expected for all types of inbound and outbound mail (letter post, parcels and EMS). This will have a major impact on operations and, consequently, on quality of service. |
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3/16/20 |
Saudi Arabia |
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3/20/20 |
Serbia |
Public Enterprise Post of Serbia has made organizational changes regarding the acceptance, processing and delivery of all inbound and outbound mail products (letter-post, parcel post and EMS items), and the changes made will affect domestic and international quality of service. For this reason, Public Enterprise Post of Serbia cannot guarantee service delivery standards during the current state of force majeure, and will be able to do so only once the situation has returned to normal. |
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3/20/20 |
Singapore |
Signature on delivery will be suspended with immediate effect for all letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items. However, tracked confirmation of deliveries will be provided via the usual tracking event scans for products that allow tracking. All letter-box-sized items (including registered, tracked, parcel and EMS items) will be deposited in letter boxes. For items larger than letter-box size, delivery will be made to parcel locker stations (POP stations), post offices or collection points (in descending order of priority) for collection by the addressee. The provision of the addressee's mobile number on all items, if possible, will expedite the above process. For items for which no mobile number has been provided, delayed delivery is to be expected. It will not be mandatory for Singapore Post to provide written proof of delivery, and delivery will be deemed to have occurred when collection is confirmed at the designated collection points. These special measures have been implemented in order to reduce the risk of the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and to keep staff and customers safe by avoiding human contact. However, these measures will have an impact on quality of service for all types of inbound mail (letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items). This impact is expected to last until the end of the pandemic. Accordingly, inbound service delivery standards cannot be guaranteed until the situation returns to normal. |
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3/20/20 |
Slovenia |
Suspended signature on delivery for inbound items insofar as possible. In order to avoid human contact, Posta Slovenije will deliver items using alternative delivery methods where possible. This includes delivery to agreed locations without physical contact (e.g. P.O. boxes, mailboxes, parcel lockers) and delivery without signature (to this end, a new "contact-free delivery" status for internal items has been introduced within the domestic Track & Trace system). |
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3/17/20 |
Spain |
Correos y Telegrafos has advised that many airlines have cancelled their flights to Madrid. As a result, the distribution of international mail (all services) will be subject to major delays until the situation returns to normal. |
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3/23/20 |
Sri Lanka |
A large number of international flights have been suspended, and the Sri Lankan Government has declared a "work from home" period until 27 March, subject to further extension if necessary to avoid further spread of COVID-19. The Department of Posts is therefore suspending the processing and delivery of all international inbound and outbound mail (letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items) until sufficient transport and workforce capacity is available. |
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3/20/20 |
Suriname |
The country is in "lockdown". The government has decided not to allow international flights until further notice. Quality of service for all types of inbound and outbound mail (letter post, parcels and EMS) is impacted. For this reason, service delivery standards cannot be guaranteed and a situation of force majeure has been declared until the situation returns to normal. |
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3/23/20 |
Thailand |
Thailand Post confirms that processing of international inbound items is still proceeding, and it asks all UPU member countries to continue sending their mail dispatches to Thailand as usual. However, in compliance with the strict ad hoc measures taken by the government, delays may be expected for all types of inbound mail (letter post, parcel post and EMS). Signature on delivery for international services that would ordinarily require the recipient's signature is still provided wherever possible. In cases where the recipients refuse to sign, the delivery officers will sign on the recipient's behalf. |
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3/23/20 |
Tonga |
Restrictions will be in place in the coming days that will have an impact on postal operations and quality of service for all types of inbound and outbound mail. The measures will have repercussions on Tonga Post's ability to keep its sorting and delivery operations running. For this reason, service delivery standards cannot be guaranteed, and a force majeure clause regarding quality of service is being invoked until the situation returns to normal. |
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3/18/20 |
Tunisia |
Suspended all international flights arriving in and departing from Tunisia, owing to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, with effect from 18 March 2020 and until further notice. La Poste Tunisienne is therefore declaring a situation of force majeure and ceasing to accept letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items until sufficient transport capacity becomes available. |
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3/20/20 |
Turkey |
Quality of service for all types of inbound mail (letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items). For this reason, service delivery standards cannot be guaranteed and a situation of force majeure has been declared until the situation returns to normal. |
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3/20/20 |
United Kingdom |
Royal Mail Group can no longer guarantee service delivery standards (including delivery times and other quality parameters) applicable under UPU and associated or related bilateral and multilateral agreements. Also, Royal Mail and Parcelforce have had to change their delivery process for all letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items requiring signature on delivery. As from 13 March 2020, items requiring a signature on delivery will not always be signed for by the recipient. Instead, in these exceptional and difficult circumstances, where the recipient has not been able to sign for the item but has duly received it, a code (XP1) will be entered into the handheld device, and this will constitute evidence of receipt. |
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3/23/20 |
Uruguay |
Staff numbers in postal facilities are being reduce as far as possible, and tleworking introduced where feasible. Direct physical contacts are being minimized, and appropriate hygienic measures introduced. Post offices with large numbers of customers are being kept closed, with special collection points set up directly with customers. The above steps, along with the suspension and reduction of international flights and connections, will impact inbound and outbound postal operations and delivery. |
March 23, 2020 —
For: Our loyal customers
RE: Midwest Direct Operational Status March 23, 2020
As many of you already know, an order was issued by State of Ohio and the State of Pennsylvania for all non-essential businesses to be closed. Midwest Direct is exempt from this order.
We are an official essential business partner of the United States Post Office. Please see the letter from the United States Postal Service stating so republished below. Midwest Direct will continue to remain open and continue to pick up and process your mail working our normal hours.
These are unprecedented times for all of us. The Midwest Direct team is working diligently to provide the safest work environment for our workforce -- while at the same time maintaining our regular operational status of pick up, processing and delivering your mail to the Postal Service for delivery.
We remain committed to you and appreciate your business. We will continue to update you with any changes. If you have questions or concerns or schedule updates, please contact your representative directly.
Stay Safe –
The Midwest Direct Team
March 20, 2020 — We have always considered your mail, meeting agreed-upon deadlines or SLA’s, to be mission-critical for your business. We understand that the continuity of your business operations may be dependent upon the delivery of your mail.
The memo below was released yesterday from Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). Rest assured, the USPS and private companies that serve the USPS (such as Midwest Direct) fall under the definition of “critical infrastructure” and we will remain open and continue to maintain a normal work schedule.
Please see the memo below. If you have any additional questions, contact us at 1.800.686.6666 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM eastern.
Thank you for your support. We look forward to continuing to serve you.
MEMORANDUM ON IDENTIFICATION OF ESSENTIAL CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE WORKERS DURING COVID-19 RESPONSE
FROM: Christopher C. Krebs
Director
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
As the Nation comes together to slow the spread of COVID-19, on March 16th, the President issued updated Coronavirus Guidance for America. This guidance states that:
“If you work in a critical infrastructure industry, as defined by the Department of Homeland Security, such as healthcare services and pharmaceutical and food supply, you have a special responsibility to maintain your normal work schedule.”
TRANSPORTATION AND LOGISTICS
- Employees supporting or enabling transportation functions, including dispatchers, maintenance and repair technicians, warehouse workers, truck stop and rest area workers, and workers that maintain and inspect infrastructure (including those that require cross-border travel)
- Employees of firms providing services that enable logistics operations, including cooling, storing, packaging, and distributing products for wholesale or retail sale or use.
- Mass transit workers
- Workers responsible for operating dispatching passenger, commuter and freight trains and maintaining rail infrastructure and equipment
- Maritime transportation workers - port workers, mariners, equipment operators
- Truck drivers who haul hazardous and waste materials to support critical infrastructure, capabilities, functions, and services
- Automotive repair and maintenance facilities
- Manufacturers and distributors (to include service centers and related operations) of packaging materials, pallets, crates, containers, and other supplies needed to support manufacturing, packaging staging and distribution operations
- Postal and shipping workers, to include private companies
- Employees who repair and maintain vehicles, aircraft, rail equipment, marine vessels, and the equipment and infrastructure that enables operations that encompass movement of cargo and passengers
- Air transportation employees, including air traffic controllers, ramp personnel, aviation security, and aviation management
- Workers who support the maintenance and operation of cargo by air transportation, including
flight crews, maintenance, airport operations, and other on- and off-airport facilities workers
March 18, 2020 — As promised, we will share with you any announcements made by the USPS concerning potential operational changes surrounding COVID-19. Below you will find their most recent updates.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your representative for more information or reach out to us at any time.
USPS Statement on Coronavirus
The United States Postal Service is closely monitoring the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation and continues to follow strategies and measures recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and public health departments. The CDC has information available on its website that provides the latest information about COVID-19. We are sharing the CDC’s guidance to our employees via stand-up talks, employee news articles, messages on bulletin boards, videos and an intranet site within USPS workplaces.
The CDC, the World Health Organization, and the Surgeon General have indicated that there is currently no evidence that COVID-19 is being spread through the mail.
The Postal Service has so far experienced only minor operational impacts in the United States as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.We do continue to have a temporary suspension of the guarantee on Priority Mail Express International destined for China and Hong Kong, which has been effective since Monday, Feb. 10, 2020, due to widespread airline cancellations and restrictions into this area. In addition, customers may see delays in mail and packages destined to China as well as from China, as well as to and from European countries subject to restricted passenger airline travel. The Postal Service is undertaking all reasonable measures to minimize the impact to our customers.
In addition, the Postal Service is an essential service for purposes of its compliance with state or municipality shelter-in-place orders or other social distancing restrictions. The Postal Service delivers medications, social security checks, and is the leading delivery service for online purchases. The statute that created the Postal Service begins with the following sentence. “The United States Postal Service shall be operated as a basic and fundamental service provided to the people by the Government of the United States, authorized by the Constitution, created by an Act of Congress, and supported by the people.” 39 U.S.C. §101(a).
Background Info:
According to The World Health Organization, “the likelihood of an infected person contaminating commercial goods is low and the risk of catching the virus that causes COVID-19 from a package that has been moved, travelled, and exposed to different conditions and temperature is also low.” And according to the CDC, “in general, because of poor survivability of these coronaviruses on surfaces, there is likely very low risk of spread from products or packaging that are shipped over a period of days or weeks at ambient temperatures. Coronaviruses are generally thought to be spread most often by respiratory droplets. Currently, there is no evidence to support transmission of COVID-19 associated with imported goods and there have not been any cases of COVID-19 in the United States associated with imported goods.”
International Mail Service Disruptions Due to COVID-19
On March 17, 2020, the Postal Service™ received notifications from various postal operators regarding changes in international mail services due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
The following countries have suspended some or all mail services:
Kuwait: Kuwait Postal Sector has suspended all inbound and outbound mail (letter-post, parcel-post and Express Mail Service (EMS) items) until further notice.
Moldova: Posta Moldovei has suspended all inbound and outbound mail (letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items) until further notice.
Norway: Posten Norge AS has advised that it is unable to send letter mail to all countries outside the European Union except for the following: Arab Emirates, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Hong Kong, Great Britain, Iceland, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Switzerland, Thailand and Turkey.
Peru: Servicios Postales del Perú - SERPOST S.A, has suspended all delivery of domestic and international mail for 15 days, and Jorge Chavez International Airport has been closed. Therefore, postal services in Peru are suspended until March 30, 2020.
As a convenience for our customers, the Postal Service will continue to accept and process mail destined for the aforementioned countries. This mail will be held within our network and will be delivered once mail service is restored.
Additionally, the following countries have announced service disruptions:
Estonia: Estonian Post has advised that it has suspended signature on delivery for inbound items. Where possible, items will be delivered to mailboxes; otherwise, they will be delivered in person, but without signature. The courier will enter the recipient’s name in the handheld device, but in place of the signature, there will be the indication “Courier”. This temporary measure will last until further notice.
Latvia: Latvijas Pasts has advised that the processing of all inbound and outbound international mail conveyed via passenger air transport has been suspended until further notice. Latvijas Pasts will strive to find alternative means to convey its outbound mail by truck or cargo air transport. However, there may be significant delays in the meantime. For preventive purposes, shipments are stored in a warehouse for 72 hours prior to transport. Customers should expect delays.
Luxemburg: Post Luxembourg has advised that delivery will be conducted via methods that restrict direct contact. For all letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items requiring signature on delivery, the addressee’s signature will be replaced by the mail carrier's signature, together with the delivery code, in the signature field.
New Zealand: New Zealand Post has announced changes for all letter-post, parcel-post, and EMS items requiring signature on delivery. Effective immediately, the mail carrier will ask for the recipient’s name (to record proof of delivery), and leave the item on the doorstep. The person receiving the item will not sign for the delivery directly. If no one comes to the door and there is no Parcel Leave service in place, the carrier will leave a card with details of the delivery, and return the item to the Post Office. This temporary measure will remain in effect until further notice.
Panama: Correos de Panama has advised that it is currently unable to send outgoing mail (letter-post, parcel-post or EMS items) to the following destinations: Africa, Asia, Europe, and Oceania; Certain Latin American countries (Argentina, Aruba, Ecuador, Haiti, Honduras, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela, Bolivia).
Additionally, delays are expected in the delivery of all inbound items to addressees in Panama.
Portugal: CTT Correios de Portugal has announced changes for letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items requiring signature on delivery. Effective immediately, the mail carrier will ask the recipient for their given name and family name, and will enter this information, followed by “CV19”, in the signature field on the handheld device. This temporary measure will remain in effect until further notice.
Slovenia: Pošta Slovenije has advised that significant delays are to be expected for all inbound and outbound letter post, parcel post and EMS items until the end of the epidemic. Furthermore, should the situation worsen, it will be forced to temporarily suspend the acceptance of mail for destinations outside Slovenia to which transport is not available.
Spain: Correos y Telégrafos has advised that many airlines have cancelled their flights to Madrid. As a result, the distribution of international mail will be subject to major delays until the situation returns to normal.
These service disruptions affect Priority Mail Express International® (PMEI), Priority Mail International® (PMI), First-Class Mail International® (FCMI), First-Class Package International Service® (FCPIS®), International Priority Airmail® (IPA®), International Surface Air Lift® (ISAL®), and M-Bag® items.
For the latest news regarding international service disruptions, visit https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/international/welcome.htm
March 13, 2020 — As promised, we will share with you any announcements made by the USPS concerning potential operational changes surrounding COVID-19. This is their most recent update:
The Postal Service is continuing to monitor the circumstances around the novel coronavirus, also known as “COVID-19.” We are sharing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) guidance regarding the COVID-19 epidemic to our employees via stand-up talks, employee news articles, messages on bulletin boards, and internal messaging inside USPS workplaces.
Currently, we are not experiencing operational impacts as a result of the COVID-19 epidemic and we are using this time to review/revise our contingency plans should they be needed. Customers can view our most recent media statement and find a link to the CDC guidance at https://about.usps.com/newsroom/statements/usps-statement-on-coronavirus.htm.
Regarding the importation of packages, the CDC states there is likely very low risk that the COVID-19 can be spread from products or packaging shipped from China, because of poor survivability of coronaviruses on surfaces. Also, according to the CDC, there currently is no evidence to support transmission of coronavirus associated with imported goods; and there have been no reported cases of COVID-19 in the United States associated with imported goods.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your representative for more information or reach out to us at any time.
March 12, 2020 —
To our loyal customers,
As the community continues to experience possible negative impacts from the coronavirus (COVID-19), we will continue to monitor these developments and make any necessary adjustments to serve to our customers. Midwest Direct recognizes that some customers may be negatively affected by the impacts of this global outbreak. As always, our focus is on the safety and well-being of our employees, customers and the communities we serve.
Midwest Direct is prepared to offer assistance, as needed, to impacted customers through a range of measures. Should you, as a current customer, encounter disruption as a result of the coronavirus, please call us at 1‑800-686-6666 (Monday ‐ Friday; 8 a.m. ‐ 5 p.m. ET). We’re here to help you navigate any adjustment or changes you experience.
Midwest Direct cares about the health of employees and shares flu and viral prevention steps in accordance with the CDC guidelines including standard recommendations to prevent infection spread with regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, cleaning of shared surfaces and equipment, and the avoidance of close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness.
In addition to helping our customers navigate any potential business disruptions, we are monitoring the United States Postal Service for notices. If any changes that affect mail delivery are announced, we will communicate those to you via email. Midwest will continue servicing our customers in the same capacity as today with the assumptions that:
- Customers can produce documents and make them available for our team to pick up.
- The local United States Postal Service is accepting business mail.
If you need assistance at any time or have any further questions, please contact us.
Regards,
Sean Gebbie, President Midwest Direct
