The coronavirus has forced PTT branches to close. Due to the spread of COVID-19, PTT announced that branches will remain closed until further notice. As cases continue to rise across the country, new precautions and restrictions are being added daily. In its latest statement, PTT explained that branches where social distancing cannot be properly maintained and that regularly experience heavy crowds will be closed until a subsequent announcement.
With COVID-19 cases increasing in Turkey and worldwide, additional measures are being implemented every day. These precautions aim to minimize harm to citizens and the country. In its recent announcement, the General Directorate of Posts and Telegraphs stated that because social distancing cannot be sufficiently enforced at some locations and due to ongoing crowding, certain workplaces will be closed until further notice.
PTT Branches Closed
PTT branches experiencing frequent crowds will be closed because of the coronavirus. Following this closure decision, social assistance payments will be delivered directly to recipients’ homes. PTT delivery personnel will carry out these distributions in coordination with law enforcement and security officers. For example, the Istanbul PTT Regional Directorate confirmed that social assistance payments will be distributed to homes by PTT couriers in cooperation with the Provincial Police Directorate and other security staff.
According to the regional office statement, under the Family, Labour and Social Services Ministry’s Economic Stability Shield Package Support Program, social assistance payments that were previously disbursed at PTT branches will now be delivered to homes. The primary reason for this decision is to maintain social distancing and prevent overcrowding at branches. Consequently, PTT branches that consistently see high foot traffic and where distancing rules cannot be observed have been closed until further notice. Payments normally made at these closed branches will be carried out by PTT couriers together with the Provincial Police Directorate and security personnel.
For branches that remain open, services may be temporarily paused during the day depending on crowding levels. PTT emphasized that it will continue to increase measures to protect public health and protect citizens, and that service adjustments will be made as necessary to reduce the risk of virus transmission.