Isle of Man Post Office (IOMPO) advises that services continue as normal, while seeking to protect the health of its people and customers, during the threat of Covid-19 on the Island.
Letter deliveries continue to be made five days a week (Mon-Fri) with parcels six days (Mon-Sat). IOMPO has begun to receive requests from some of its customers not to deliver their mail, either because they have opted to work remotely, or as a precaution. Unfortunately, IOMPO is unable to accept informal instructions to cease delivery of mail; however it is able to provide business customers with alternative delivery services. Details of which can be found online.
Customers should note that Royal Mail have announced that for items posted using the Special Delivery Guaranteed by 1pm service from today (Thursday) onwards, they will no longer guarantee deliveries by 1pm the next working day. They will however still prioritise Special Delivery parcels and letters and will aim to deliver by 1pm or before the end of day. Their UK Special Delivery by 9am service remains unchanged, and this service inbound to the Island is only available to customers in IM1 post codes.
IOMPO is following the World Health Organisation, UK and Isle of Man Government advice regarding the Covid-19 Coronavirus and has taken steps internally to mitigate the risk to its valued staff and customers. It has segregated teams from different areas of the business as well as encouraging employees, where possible, to work remotely from home to help prevent the spread of any infection. Earlier this week, the business announced changes to the way in which customers usually sign for parcels to minimise contact between postal staff and customers. It also encourages customers to sign up for its free SafePlace and Authority to Sign services.
In addition, the business has stepped up its sanitising of its business working areas including its public counter at Postal Headquarters, as well as issuing regular guidance to staff to practice good hygiene and thorough hand washing in particular. IOMPO has also suspended staff business travel for the foreseeable future.
IOMPO appreciates that many MiCard customers, particularly those who are vulnerable, will be concerned about collecting their benefits or pension from a Post Office due to the threat of Covid-19. IOMPO wishes to advise that they can nominate a proxy who can collect these benefits on their behalf. The necessary form can be downloaded from this link, or they are available at all sub post offices Island-wide.
Simon Kneen, Chief Executive Officer, of IOMPO said: “We will continue providing the best services we can whilst protecting the health of our people, and our customers. We are working with all our customers, including those who we provide services on behalf of, to ensure these continue as normal as possible, however, we recognise that these may have to be adapted in the coming days and weeks ahead as the situation regarding Covid-19 develops. As a Manx and well-trusted local business, we have robust contingency plans in place for a range of scenarios to maintain services where possible, and remain committed to keeping our customers up-to-date with any service changes as quickly and effectively as possible.”
He continued: “I would like to thank the team which makes up the Post Office family for their continued professionalism and dedication to the business, their flexibility to working practices and their commitment to delivering excellent service to our valued customers. We are a business with the community at our heart, and we are currently seeing how best we can support distribution and local networks to help support the community further during this unprecedented time. We are also working closely with Government and private accommodation agencies to deliver mail responsibly and in line with their changing requirements.”
Customers should not hesitate to contact IOMPO’s customer services team by email or call 664664 should they have any specific concerns regarding the Coronavirus relating to IOMPO and the services it provides, or if they wish to sign up to our mailing list to receive regular service updates. The latest news can also be found on IOMPO’s Facebook and Twitter pages.
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