It’s something small we can do to help.

As An Post introduces new measures to keep the national postal service running for as long as possible during the Covid-19 shut down, householders have been asked to do their bit and include their door handles and letterboxes in their regular cleaning schedule.

We know the virus is spread via respiratory droplets from the mouth and nose but, according to an analysis of 22 studies, these droplets can survive on inanimate surfaces like metal, glass or plastic for up to nine days. Luckily, they can be efficiently inactivated “by surface disinfection procedures with 62–71% ethanol, 0.5% hydrogen peroxide or 0.1% sodium hypochlorite within one minute.”

So wiping down your front door handle, letterbox and doorbell could help to keep An Post staff safer in the coming days.

“In the interest of everyone’s health and safety, we ask that householders and businesses include their letterbox, doorbell and exterior door handles in their regular cleaning and disinfecting routine,” said An Post.

Your local post office will have made some changes too.

The majority of post offices will open from 8am this Friday, March 20th to facilitate OAPs who wish to conduct their business ahead of other customers.

Customers impacted by Covid-19 may nominate a ‘Temporary Agent’ to act on their behalf by completing, in advance, a form available at post offices and online. Social distancing and other practical measures have been introduced to safeguard customers and staff, who will now capture customer details directly, avoiding the need for customers to handle counter equipment such as signing pads and pens.

Display boards, floor signs and staff will remind customers to remain apart from other people while in the Post Office.