Royal Mail reveals list of 28 areas on ‘Covid blacklist’ hit by delivery delays

POST is being delayed in 28 areas across the country because of Covid.

Royal Mail has revealed that deliveries of letters and packages are being affected by “resourcing issues” caused by the pandemic.

Covid has hit Royal Mail deliveries in several locationsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

It said in a service update that “deliveries in the following areas are likely to be limited” because of the staffing issues.

The locations affected are the following 28 areas and postcodes:

Ashford (TN23-TN27)
Barnsley (S70, S71, S72 and S75)
Basildon (SS13-SS16)
Bow (E3)
Bury St Edmunds (IP28-IP33)
Chelmsford (CM1-CM3)
Christchurch (BH23)
Daventry (NN11)
Debden (IG7-IG10)
Enfield (EN1-EN3)
Grays (RM16-RM20)
Hampton (TW12)
Highbury (N5)
Hornsey (N8)
Horsham (RH12, RH13)
Ilford (IG1-IG6)
Leeds City (LS1-LS5)
Lewisham (SE13)
Magherafelt (BT45, BT46)
Margate (CT7-CT9)
Rugeley (WS15)
Somerton (TA11)
South Ockendon (RM15)
South Woodford (E18)
Upper Holloway (N7)
Wandsworth (SW18)
Wellington (TA21)
Widnes (WA8)

People collecting post from delivery offices have been advised to check opening times before heading out.

Hours have been revised because of the staffing issues.

In an update on Tuesday morning Royal Mail said it was “working hard to deliver the most comprehensive service we can to customers”.

The company said: “The combination of greatly increased uptake of online shopping, and the ongoing Covid-19 restrictions, mean that all delivery companies are experiencing exceptionally high volumes.

“Despite our best efforts and significant investment in extra resource, some customers may experience slightly longer delivery timescales than our usual service standards.

“This is due to the exceptionally high volumes we are seeing, exacerbated by the coronavirus-related measures we have put in place in local mail centres and delivery offices to keep our people and customers safe.”

It said it was working hard to get back to its usual level of service as quickly as possible and thanked customers for their patience and understanding.