That collective groan that is
surely audible throughout the Cayman Islands
is more than likely coming from our very own postal service and people planning
to mail Christmas packages.
Just as postal workers were
steeling themselves to deal with the onslaught of the Christmas season, they
are now faced with rules and regulations that will make posting holiday mail
even more difficult.
The worst of it is, they’re having
to abide by rules not of their own making or from our Government. The new rules
and regulations are being dictated by the United States Government.
As of yesterday any mail weighing
16 ounces or more will have to be inspected by postal employees before the
envelope or package is sealed.
We can only envision harried mums
with children in tow trying to have Christmas packages inspected and making an
attempt to wrap said packages in colourful holiday paper and putting them all
in a box to be taped up and addressed – all at the post office.
Postal workers and holiday package
mailers, you have our sympathy.
The new rules are in place because
of a threat to the United
States from terrorists.
Last month two packages, each
containing a bomb, were found on separate cargo planes heading from Yemen to the US.
The US Department of Homeland
Security has, therefore, determined that all mail weighing 16 ounces and more
traversing through the United
States must be inspected. That includes the
items that you will be sending anywhere else in the world because most of the
mail that leaves the Cayman Islands goes straight to Miami for dispatch.
The new rules couldn’t have come at
a worse time of year. All concerned need to gird themselves with patience and
resolve.
The counter staff will have to
examine your parcel or over-weight envelope to ensure it’s safe. Those posting
mail will have to make sure there is a return address on the item being mailed.
Unfortunately we live in a global
world where terrorism is a very real thing. Because of a few many are having to
be inconvenienced.
Related Videos
