Blow for Kilbeggan as post office temporarily closes

Kilbeggan Post Office is the latest local service to be hit by the raft of closures sweeping through the country as a result of the Covid-19 crisis.

In a statement this morning (Thursday), An Post announced that the post office at Kilbeggan has closed temporarily, with services being transferred to Tullamore Post Office for the time being.

"The post office at Kilbeggan, Co Westmeath has temporarily closed for operational reasons.

“An Post has transferred all services to our post office in Tullamore. We apologise for any inconvenience caused,” read the brief statement.

There is no mention of how long the closure is expected to last.

Kilbeggan Post Offic e is one of five post offices across the country affected by the closures, though it is the first branch in Westmeath to shut its doors. Three post offices in Dublin as well as a branch in Toomevara in County Tipperary are also to close temporarily.

Temporary changes to opening hours have been introduced in some post office branches, including Ballyforan in South Roscommon and Delvin in North Westmeath. Details of these changes are available on www.anpost.com.

However, An Post says the majority of post offices are continuing to operate, with social distancing and other practical measures in place to safeguard customers and staff.  

Their mail and parcel service is also continuing as normal, although An Post delivery staff will not hand their scanner to customers for signature; instead, the delivery person can sign on behalf of the customer in their presence.