April 29, 2021

UPDATE 162 International Mail Service Updates Related to COVID-19

On April 28, 2021, 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 provided updates/notices to certain mail services:

Fiji: Post Fiji Ltd, the designated operator of Fiji, received notification that due to the coronavirus pandemic most international commercial flights to and from Fiji have been suspended as of April 20, 2021, until further notice. Post Fiji is therefore experiencing significant disruption in daily operations, including collection and deliveries for all international mail categories (letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items) and services.

Sri Lanka UPDATE: The Department of Posts, the designated operator of Sri Lanka, received notification that due to the worsening of COVID-19, new measures to prevent the spread of the virus have been implemented in Sri Lanka until May 31, 2021. As a result, Sri Lanka Post will be operating with a reduced work force and will process and deliver mail in compliance with restrictions imposed by the government. These new standards will continue to impact delivery standards for all categories of mail. Therefore, the Department of Posts will not be able to guarantee the agreed standards.

Thailand UPDATE: Thailand Post, the designated operator of Thailand, received notification that several cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed among the workforce of the Suvarnabhumi office of exchange (OE). Therefore, in accordance with the measures and guidelines established by the Thai Ministry of Public Health, the Suvarnabhumi OE will be closed from April 26 to May 4, 2021 for cleaning and disinfection of all facilities and mail items. Consequently, delays are to be expected in the processing of all inbound and outbound international mail already accepted or received. The Suvarnabhumi OE is scheduled to resume its operations on May 5, 2021. Furthermore, outbound international services (letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items) to all destinations will be suspended from April 28 to May 4, 2021.

Unless otherwise noted, service updates to a particular country do not affect delivery of military and diplomatic mail.

These service updates 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.

The DMM Advisory will continue to provide updates as they are received. For a full list of international service disruptions, please visit https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/international/welcome.htm