"Measures are being implemented to minimize the impacts on the availability of its retail network and postal distribution, while preserving the integrity of its workers", refer to CTT in a statement, regarding measures to combat the Covid-19 pandemic.

"CTT stores will implement the service behind closed doors, in order to minimize the permanence of customers in the store and to guarantee the distance between each customer", so "only customers who are being served may remain in the store", warn .

"The waiting line will be made at the door of the store, ensuring that waiting customers do so in an airy place and that they maintain the minimum distance suggested", they continue.

In addition, Correios de Portugal stores will suffer "a reduction in hours due to the number of workers present".

The schedules will be permanently updated on CTT's website and all stores in operation "will have a closing period at lunchtime, from 12:30 to 14:30, allowing for a more thorough cleaning of all spaces", they point out.

CTT workers will be able to use a mask, gloves and disinfectant gel when serving customers and a colored tape will also be placed on the floor to signal the safety distance that must be maintained between the employee and the customer.

In addition, CTT "will also close a number of stores, due to the absence of employees belonging to health risk groups, and also the need to assist children under 12 years of age due to the closure of schools".

According to the list, there are 18 stores closed: Buarcos (Vila), Boavista (Oaz), Cesar, Espargo, Travessa (São João da Madeira), Arcozelo (Vila Nova de Gaia), Mesão Frio, São Pedro da Cova (Gondomar), Vila Nova Foz Côa, Cantarias (Bragança), Santa Tecla (Braga), Caxinas (Vila do Conde), Parque (Matosinhos), Praia (Póvoa de Varzim), Gil Eanes (Portimão), Olhos de Água, Sines e Santo António dos Cavaleiros.

CTT also states that, "as determined by the Regional Governments of the Azores and Madeira, the payment of the social mobility allowance in stores in these autonomous regions is inhibited within a period of less than 15 days from the end of the trip".

Regarding CTT points (post offices), the company informs that "there may be changes in the opening hours or the closing thereof, as decided by CTT's partners in providing this service".

They also state that, "in the scope of operations, in view of the security of customers and of the approximately 5,000 postmen of CTT, the subscription at the postmen's terminals during the process of delivering Mail, Express and Cargo products will be suspended".

This measure "will be applied to all services except citations or notifications via postal service and 'self-delivery' services, and scenarios for adjusting the activity are still being analyzed, taking into account the possible absence of employees belonging to health risk groups. ".

The postmen "will adopt specific procedures in the exercise of their functions during the tours, in the interaction with the population and in the handling of objects, to reduce the risk of contagion".

In the buildings where the main operational centers are located, CTT will proceed with the "daily measurement of body temperature, trying to ensure the dispatch of gloves, protective masks and disinfectant gel and the reinforcement of the cleaning frequency of all workplaces. ".

Correios de Portugal stressed that "shift schedules will still be adjusted, avoiding overlaps and accommodating situations of absence of risk employees, as a protective precautionary measure".

In addition, the company has decided to promote distance work in all services where this is possible.

"In the last few days, contact reduction measures have started to be applied to employees whose physical presence in the company is essential, respecting a minimum reference rotation logic of 14 calendar days for services that have to remain on the premises", they say.

"The company will continue to follow daily the guidelines of the Directorate-General for Health and the evolution of the facts, in order to adapt the internal procedures to minimize possible contagions, whenever justified", they conclude.