The designated postal operator of the SLOVAK REPUBLIC, Slovenska Pošta, a. s., wishes to inform other Union member countries and their designated operators that, in addition to the measures already communicated in EmIS 194/2020 in response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), it has implemented further measures with regard to eliminate customer interaction at the doorstep and in accordance with physical distancing requirements.

Slovenská Pošta has suspended the collection of a signature on delivery for inbound letter registered mail items that are inserted in the addressee’s mailbox without personal contact with the addressee and information is registered at delivery books. The items that do not fit in the mailbox or items with an unsuccessful delivery attempt will be stored at the delivery post office with an extended storage period in 32 days in total. A notification, including instructions, will be inserted in the mailbox. The same applies to ordinary mail, including small packages.

The exception are inbound letter registered mail items with value added services, such as delivery in person, written proof of delivery, COD service or other additional payments etc.,  where delivery is suspended and will only be notified. These items will be deposited at the post offices and the customer will receive a notification (announcement to mailbox, electronic notification sent to e-mail or SMS).

In case that customer are in compulsory quarantine or have been diagnosed with COVID - 19, they are required to notify this information to the postman/postwoman or courier in advance, before realisation of first attempt to deliver the postal items or contact to special phone number. The postal items are deposited at delivery post office during the prolonged storage period and the customer in quarantine may wait until the end of the quarantine.

Parcels that would ordinarily require the addressee’s signature are still delivered to the door, the courier will knock at the door as usual, step back away from the door, and on behalf to protect health of the recipient and the health of the courier, the recipient shall be asked to use a protective mask or other suitable alternative (scarf) to cover the nose and mouth, prepare own pen and pay for the postal items by using credit card preferably.

There is highly recommended for recipients to use contactless delivery option for parcels which can be deposited in parcel terminals.

In addition, the delivery postal offices in cities over 10 000 inhabitants have reduced their working hours (until 16:00 and chosen ones until 17:00) and are closed at weekends.
Slovenská Pošta confirms that domestic operations, including mail delivery, are still functioning under adapted conditions, and asks all Union member countries, insofar as is possible, to continue to send their mail dispatches to the Slovak republic.

As of 1st of April 2020, Slovenská Pošta is able to send mail (letter-post, parcel-post and EMS items) only to countries within the European Union, with the exception of Cyprus, Greece, Ireland, Malta and Spain. It is also able to send mail to Belarus, Canada, Serbia, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom and United States of America.

Slovenská Pošta is working continuously to improve the situation and will continue to accept letter-post and parcel-post items sent to destinations for which transport capacity is available. Transit mail, closed or open, cannot be accepted to any destination country unless bilaterally agreed upon.

Slovenska pošta, a. s., thanks all Union member countries and their designated operators for their understanding. It will update them via EmIS once the situation has returned to normal.