When will Post Offices be open during lockdown 2?

England is now officially in a second national lockdown, which means non-essential shops and services are closed. For Post Offices, however, it’s pretty much business as usual – here’s why. 

Why can I use Post Offices during lockdown?

Post Offices are classed as essential shops, which means it’s okay for them to stay open during lockdown. The UK government hasn’t released specific guidance yet, but they’re not expected to close. 

When can I visit the Post Office?

Opening times for stand-alone Post Offices or WH Smith branches are:

• 9am – 3pm Monday to Friday
• 9am – 12.30pm on a Saturday 

Just be aware that opening hours could change at short notice, so check before you travel. And try to avoid the first hour of opening – it’s typically reserved for elderly or vulnerable customers. 

What’s different about the Post Office during lockdown?

The visit to the Post Office will feel a little different right now. Here’s what you can expect. 

• Social distancing guidelines apply. When it’s busy inside, you’ll need to queue outside before you can get in. 
• Opening times may vary from branch to branch. 
• You should wear a face covering, unless you’re exempt. 
• If you’re posting a Special Delivery Guaranteed item, it will arrive by 11am the next working day rather than 9am.
• You can’t get Post Office Travel Insurance between 5 November and 2 December 2020. 

All that said, you can still access a range of services, including:

• Paying bills
• Returning foreign currency
• Managing your phone and broadband account

What can I do at home instead? 

Unless you want to post mail or hand back foreign currency, you can do pretty much everything else from home. Here’s how. 

Pay bills

You can pay your bills online if you have a Post Office account. If you want to check your balance or withdraw cash, you don’t need to visit the Post Office – simply use an ATM instead.

Manage bills

The Post Office partners with Payzone to help customers pay bills without visiting a branch. So whether you want to pay off a credit card or pay your council tax bill, just visit your nearest Payzone terminal.

The Post Office website has information on how to find a terminal and the documents you need to take with you.

Buy stamps

Yes, you can buy stamps online. Simply visit Royal Mail’s online shop. 

Manage broadband 

If you’ve got a Post Office broadband or phone account, or you want to set one up, you can arrange all this online. 

Apply for a passport

Many people can apply for a passport online through the gov.uk portal, although some restrictions apply. Check the portal for details.

Get an insurance quote

Whether it’s for life insurance or home insurance, you can get a quote or manage your account online through the Post Office.

Make international money transfers

If you want to send money overseas, just fill out the Post Office’s handy online form. 

When should I post Christmas mail?

Good question. There’s a bit of a perfect storm brewing right now: 

• Social distancing means there are fewer people in sorting offices and delivery offices.
• There’s no telling how many postal workers will need to isolate over the coming weeks, meaning there’s potential for major staff shortages.

Don’t leave Christmas mail until the last minute. According to Royal Mail’s last posting dates for 2020, you should post your UK Christmas mail by 18 December to be on the safe side. If you’re posting internationally, though, aim for mid-November. 

Where can I find my nearest branch?

Unsure where your nearest open branch is? Simply use the Post Office’s online branch locator. 

Takeaway

The good news is that Post Offices are, for the most part, open during the coronavirus lockdown.

That said, the whole point of the lockdown is to curb the spread of coronavirus, so it’s a good idea to limit your visits if you can. Consider buying your Christmas stamps online, and use your online account to pay your bills. 

And remember, to help postal workers manage the Christmas surge, post your Christmas mail as early as possible. There’s no reason you can’t pop those early Black Friday gifts in the mail right now!

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