06 Apr 2020

Elderly get their dues

BotswanaPost continues to assist those eligible for social grants payments while other services are suspended for the duration of the State of Public Service Emergency.

Serowe Post office branch manager, Mr Tapologo Kgosiemang told BOPA that those eligible were not required to have a permit to be assisted.

“BotswanaPost does not at this point handle any mail and officers performing this task are on lockdown while the post office operates with skeletal staff,” stated Mr Kgosiemang.

He said they set a target of assisting 100 customers per day but stated that they would see how the situation unfolds and would use their discretion to decide whether to go beyond the target.

This he said would be done taking into consideration the fact that beneficiaries were elderly people and sending them back without help would disadvantage them.

Social distancing and washing hands remains a priority even with the minimal number of four people allowed inside at a time.

Mr Kgosiemang said they worked with the police and whenever the situation got out of hand, the police were called in to restore order.

Clients are met at the door by a security officer who instructs them to wash their hands and ensures that they do not sit close to each other while waiting to be assisted.

For adults who at times forget the social distancing rule and want to seat close to each other, security officers are always close by to remind them of this and they gladly oblige.

The office has adjusted operating times to 9am to 1pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 11am Saturday. Ends