The South African Post Office says Christmas mail leaving South Africa will be delayed by the international travel restrictions to and from South Africa following the identification of the Omicron variant of the Covid-19 virus. A man dressed as Santa Claus helps a child post a letter. File Picture: Brenton Geach
DURBAN - Christmas mail leaving South Africa will be delayed by the international travel restrictions to and from South Africa following the identification of the Omicron variant of the Covid-19 virus, the South African Post Office announced today.
The Post Office said in a statement that cargo space on planes was limited due to the cancellation of some international flights.
“The SA Post Office estimates that mail leaving South Africa may be delayed by up to 14 days,” it said.
Only surface mail was currently available to the US.
“The Post Office expects that the airmail option will again become available in January,” said the statement.
The Post Office said mail to Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, Lesotho, Namibia, eSwatini and Mozambique was not affected at this time.
However, it said items posted from South Africa by December 5, 2021, to these countries 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,” it said.
THE MERCURY
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