Before time away, you set an automatic reply saying you have limited access. People may still write because they cannot tell whether you are checking messages occasionally or who can help in the meantime. The reply announces an absence without helping them plan around it.
State the dates you are unavailable and when you expect to respond after returning. If someone is covering a particular responsibility, confirm that arrangement with them before naming them in the note.
Direct only the questions that have cover
Say which matters the covering person handles and how to reach them through an approved channel. Other questions may need to wait. Avoid forwarding every request to someone who has agreed to cover only urgent issues.
Before leaving, give the covering person the information they need and tell relevant colleagues where it is. On return, check any handover notes before reading the entire inbox. Adjust the absence note for future trips if the same unclear question repeatedly reached you while you were away.
