MaltaPost is introducing a host of health and safety measures in a bid to protect both customers and employees from the COVID-19 pandemic, the company said in a statement on Wednesday.

Malta has registered 48 cases, an increase of 18 cases in just two days. Globally, according to worldometers.com, there are now 206,000 cases with 82,889 having recovered.

“The outbreak of the COVID 19 virus in Malta is having significant impact on our way of life and we are actively monitoring this rapidly evolving situation.

“We are following Government's advice whilst we work closely with the relevant authorities,” the company said in a statement.

It affirmed official advice, that the risk of falling ill from being exposed to a contaminated good is low:

“The World Health Organisation informs that the likelihood of an infected person contaminating commercial goods is low and the risk of catching the virus that causes COVID-19 from a package that has been moved, travelled, and exposed to different conditions and temperature is also low.”

Despite the above, MaltaPost stressed it takes “the health and safety of both of [its] employees and customers very seriously in order to help prevent the spread of the virus, in line with the guidance issued by the National Health Authorities.”

With this in mind, MaltaPost reminded customers – especially those who are unwell or observing mandatory quarantine – “to fully co-operate” with its postal operators.

“Customers are to maintain the minimum social distancing of at least one metre when being served.

“In addition, and in order to protect both our employees and our customers as much as possible, we will not be asking customers to sign for mail that requires a signature when we deliver to their address.

“Our employees will instead log the name and Identity Card Number of the person accepting the item.

“Additionally, for all customers where we need to deliver a parcel that won't fit through your letterbox, having knocked on the door or rung the bell, we will then step aside to a safe distance while the customer retrieves the item.

“If you are unable to come to the door at all we will issue the appropriate notice advising you of the alternatives available to collect your postal item.”

MaltaPost also said arrangements have been made for alternative routing of postal traffic to and from countries presently covered by a travel ban, namely Italy, Switzerland, Germany, France and Spain.

“Furthermore, the outbound postal service to China is once again available.”