To improve social distancing in branches, sales will be restricted to postal products and services for the time being. For this reason, DETEC has temporarily lifted the cantonal accessibility requirements but requires Swiss Post to open branches again wherever possible. Due to increasing staff shortages, Swiss Post may be required to shorten the opening hours at certain self-operated branches or even to close individual branches on an interim basis. Swiss Post must also combat the impact of coronavirus on its network. Maintaining the best possible access to the postal network For bulky parcels, we were obliged to reduce the maximum dimensions to ensure that our employees can comply with social distancing rules. As a result, Swiss Post is sorting parcels on Saturdays as an exceptional measure. In return, DETEC requires Swiss Post to do everything in its power to maintain delivery times.

Due to the current situation, Swiss Post has asked DETEC to lift the obligation to comply with delivery times during the extraordinary situation, and this authorization has been granted. This means that transport times may be lengthened and delivery times modified. However, more time is needed to process the rapidly growing parcel volumes and to guarantee services despite increasing numbers of absent employees.

I am glad that the ConfederationвЂ™s postal regulations are being reconciled with our ability to protect staff from the virus.вЂќДespite the crisis, Swiss Post is currently maintaining its range of services for letters and parcels. However, our employeesвЂ™ protection is also top priority. вЂњDespite the difficult situation, we are doing everything we can to guarantee our postal services throughout Switzerland,вЂќ says CEO Roberto Cirillo. If the situation worsens further, Swiss Post may be obliged to make additional modifications to its range of services. This gives Swiss Post the opportunity to respond to ongoing developments without infringing statutory requirements. The relaxing of these universal service provisions will remain in force until the extraordinary situation is lifted by the Federal Council. Based on a delegation from the Federal Council, DETEC is authorized to approve relevant requests from Swiss Post. Based on the Federal CouncilвЂ™s COVID ordinance, Swiss Post has obtained authorization from the Swiss Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC) to temporarily suspend the legal provisions relating to letter and parcel transport and delivery times as well as the provisions regarding the availability and accessibility of its branches.

Swiss Post must take action to ensure that it can maintain the universal postal service throughout the duration of the crisis whilst protecting its employees. International letter and parcel deliveries are also experiencing restrictions due to the halt in the international flow of goods. Many processes are also undergoing a slowdown due to essential compliance with hygiene requirements and social distancing вЂ“ for instance, in sorting. This could be because they belong to a high-risk group, are caring for children, are in quarantine or are ill themselves. At the same time, fewer employees are available, as around 2,100 staff members are unable to come into work. At the same time, Swiss Post is facing major challenges: firstly, parcel volumes in particular are increasing significantly, with a rise of almost 40 percent, and are reaching peak levels similar to those usually seen in the run-up to Christmas. Our employees ensure that this remains possible despite the crisis by demonstrating impressive levels of commitment on a daily basis. Swiss Post fulfils the Federal CouncilвЂ™s mandate in this respect through its role as both the backbone of the Swiss logistics industry and universal service provider. In emergency situations, when everyday life is disrupted, it is especially important to ensure a nationwide universal postal service.

Crisis of the confederation